James S. Gracey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James S. Gracey
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| Birth name | James Steele Gracey |
| Born | August 24, 1927 Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | April 5, 2020 (aged 92) Falls Church, Virginia, U.S. |
| Service/ |
United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1945–1986 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Commandant of the Coast Guard Coast Guard Pacific Area Ninth Coast Guard District USCGC Mariposa |
James Steele Gracey (born August 24, 1927 – died April 5, 2020) was a high-ranking officer, an Admiral, in the United States Coast Guard. He served as the 17th leader, or Commandant, of the Coast Guard from 1982 to 1986.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
James Gracey was born in Newton, Massachusetts. He was the son of Ernest J. and Edna S. Gracey. After finishing school at Needham High School, he joined the United States Coast Guard Academy. This is a special college for people who want to become officers in the Coast Guard.
While at the Academy in New London, Connecticut, he was a very active student. He was a leader for his group of cadets. He was also the captain of the baseball team. Besides baseball, he played soccer and was part of the rifle team.
Coast Guard Career Highlights
After graduating in June 1949, James Gracey stayed at the Academy for a short time. He worked as a tactical instructor, helping to train new cadets.
Early Assignments and Education
From 1951 to 1953, he worked at the Captain of the Port Office in Boston, Massachusetts. This office helps manage ship traffic and safety in the harbor. He then went to a special school for LORAN, which is a navigation system. After that, he commanded a LORAN station in Alaska for a year.
Gracey then went back to the Academy briefly as an assistant tactics officer and baseball coach. In 1954, he started studying at Harvard University. He earned a master's degree in business in 1956. During his studies, he also gained experience working at a company called Norton Company.
Important Roles and Leadership
From 1956 to 1960, he worked at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He was a branch chief in the supply division, helping to manage important resources. For the next two years, he commanded a ship called the USCGC Mariposa. This ship helped maintain navigation aids like buoys and broke ice on the Hudson River.
Later, from 1962 to 1965, he was the Comptroller for the Second Coast Guard District in St. Louis. This meant he managed the finances for that area. He also helped recruit new cadets. After that, he moved to New York to help turn Fort Jay on Governors Island into a Coast Guard base. He planned how the base would be organized and how people would live there. For this important work, he received an award called the Secretary of Treasury Commendation for Achievement Ribbon.
From 1966 to 1969, he was the executive officer at the Coast Guard Base on Governors Island. He helped with community relations and worked with different unions. He received another award, a Coast Guard Letter of Commendation, for his efforts.
Becoming an Admiral
Before becoming the Commandant, Gracey held several important leadership positions. These roles are called flag officer assignments. He commanded the Ninth Coast Guard District in Cleveland, which covered the Great Lakes. He also led the Twelfth Coast Guard District and Pacific Area from San Francisco, overseeing the Pacific Ocean. Finally, he commanded the Third Coast Guard District and Atlantic Area from Governors Island, covering the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast.
Admiral Gracey passed away on April 5, 2020, in Falls Church, Virginia. He was 92 years old.
Ranks Held by James Gracey
Here is a look at the different ranks James Gracey held during his long career in the Coast Guard. Each rank shows his increasing responsibility and leadership.
| Ensign | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | Lieutenant | Lieutenant Commander | Commander | Captain |
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| O-1 | O-2 | O-3 | O-4 | O-5 | O-6 |
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| June 3, 1949 | ~1951 | ~1954 | ~1959 | ~1965 | July 1969 |
| Commodore | Rear Admiral | Vice Admiral | Admiral |
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| O-7 | O-8 | O-9 | O-10 |
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| Never held | October 1, 1974 | July 1, 1978 | May 28, 1982 |
