Paul A. Yost Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul A. Yost Jr.
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | January 3, 1929 St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | February 9, 2022 (aged 93) Provo, Utah, U.S. |
| Service/ |
United States Coast Guard |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Commandant of the Coast Guard |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | President, James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (1990-2010) |
Paul Alexander Yost Jr. was a brave admiral in the United States Coast Guard. He was born on January 3, 1929, and passed away on February 9, 2022. He served as the 18th leader, or Commandant, of the Coast Guard from 1986 to 1990.
Early Life and Military Career
Paul Yost grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. He studied at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, graduating in 1951. He also earned advanced degrees from the University of Connecticut and The George Washington University.
In 1966, Yost took command of the ship USCGC Resolute. This ship was based in San Francisco, California. Later, in 1969, he led a special combat group during the Vietnam War. This group helped with a mission called Operation Market Time.
Yost became an admiral in 1978. For three years, he was the Commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans, Louisiana. Before becoming the Commandant, he also served as the Chief of Staff at Coast Guard Headquarters.
Leading the Coast Guard
Admiral Yost became the Commandant of the Coast Guard in 1986. He was known for making some big changes. One change was ending the old tradition of allowing beards for sailors at sea.
He also wanted the Coast Guard to focus more on defending the coast. He worked to add more powerful weapons to larger Coast Guard ships. Yost added naval weapons like the Harpoon missile system. These changes were meant to help the Coast Guard in bigger defense roles.
After he retired, some of these new weapon systems were removed. The Coast Guard went back to its usual jobs. These jobs include search and rescue, enforcing laws, ensuring marine safety, and helping ships navigate. Some people jokingly called his time the "Yost-Guard" because of his focus on coastal defense.
Life After Service
After retiring from the Coast Guard in 1990, Admiral Yost became the President of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. This foundation is located in Alexandria, Virginia. He held this position until 2010.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also served on the church's Military Relations Committee. In 1992, he received the Naval Order of the United States Distinguished Sea Service Award. Paul Yost passed away on February 9, 2022, in Provo, Utah.
