I Never Liked Those C-130's Anyway (Paperback or Softback)

Up through the ranks from enlisted to Lieutenant Commander as the Coast Guard transformed from the old guard to the modern Coast Guard- one of the few enlisted to become a pilot.

Malcolm R. Smith, born in San Diego, CA in 1940. He joined the CG in 1957 on a dare under the "buddy-system" with his lifelong friend Larry Wiliams. It was the best mistake he ever made, he said. After boot camp in Alameda, he reported to his first duty station the CGC Dione, Freeport, Texas. Then came radio school in Groton, CT. and then to the CGC Nike. After too many Campeche patrols it was off to Aviation at CGAS Corpus Christi, TX. The first of three tours at CGAS Kodiak was next, followed by a tour at San Diego. He graduated from OCS in 1965 and then on to flight training in Pensacola, FL. graduating in 1966 as aviator #1189.

Duty stations included: Elizabeth City, NC; Kodiak, AK; St. Petersburg Fl and New Orleans, LA. During his career he flew in the following aircraft; C-123, C-130, HU-16, H-52 and H-3. After attending Port Security and Law Enforcement School, he served as captain of the Port and Port Security in Kodiak, AK.

His awards include the Air Medal (2), Coast Guard Commendation medal (2 w/"0"), Coast Guard Unit Commendation (2), Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon (2), Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal (2) and the National Defense Service Medal.

After retirement in October 1977 he has owned an art gallery and a commercial real estate company. He presently lives outside of Aspen, CO with his wife Diane and enjoys all outdoor activities. He has three daughters: Kelly, Holly, and Wendy and two grandchildren.

J. Wilfred Cahill was born June 8, 1949 in Winooski Vermont and raised in Hicksville, NY, Buffalo, NY, Salt Lake City, UT, St. Paul, MN, and graduated high school in Bel Air, MD.

He attended the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN were he was elected the first male student body president of that former all female catholic college and sold ladies shoes in a downtown store to fund his tuition.

Following college he did a short stint in Barclays Bank at 120 Broadway in New York where his grandfather had worked for over 30 years.

Leaving the bank in the late summer of 1971, guitar in hand to hitch hike and troubadour his way across the country. He arrived in Aspen on Columbus Day 1971 with the intentions of ski bumming for one winter. That one winter turned into a 30 year love affair with the mountains. Except for a short tour as a marine oil field rigger in the Gulf of Mexico during 1973. He has resided in the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork River Valley's ever since.

He is the proud father on an only daughter in who he is well pleased.

Since 1985 he and his bride of 27 years, Bonita, have owned and operated a successful real estate and property management firm in Aspen.

And since meeting Malcolm Smith in 1992 he has become the de facto Colorado Fly Fishing Guide for the Coast Guard retiree's.

He currently resides in Carbondale and Olathe, Colorado.