Donald R. Horsley Master Chief Boatswains Mate Donald Robert Horsley served the Coast Guard though 44 years of continuous service from age 17 to 62, enlisting on 4 August 1942. He served on active duty for 44 years, four months, and 27 days. His career spanned three wars, and saw service on board 34 vessels. During World War II BMCM Horsley served aboard USCGC Cepheus (AKA-18) as a coxswain on landing craft and participated in OPERATION DRAGOON (the invasion of southern France) and OPERATION ICEBERG, (the invasion of Okinawa). Following the war, Horsley had successive tours on board six cutters. After a tour of duty ashore at Loran Station Ulithi, he served at sea on board five more cutters, and had a return tour on board the seagoing tender Planetree. During the Vietnam War, BMCM Horsley served 41 months as the senior enlisted person assigned to Division 13, Coast Guard Squadron One out of Cat Lo, Republic of Vietnam. This Division of 82-foot patrol boats was tasked with the maritime interdiction of the reinforcement and re-supply of Communist forces fighting in South Vietnam. During this assignment, BMCM Horsley was awarded the Bronze Star with a Combat "V". After Vietnam, Horsley served throughout the Pacific, including assignments on board the seagoing tender Basswood and as the Officer-in-Charge of the Coast Guard Buoy Depot on Guam. In 1976, he was assigned as the Officer-in- Charge on board the river tender Wyaconda, out of Dubuque, Iowa. He returned to sea on board the cutter Sherman and was transferred to Morgenthau when Sherman was decommissioned in early 1986. At his retirement ceremony in January 1987, Horsley was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

USS Cepheus and her crew during World War II

USCG cutters at Cat Lo, Vietnam

Master Chief Horsley speaks at his retirement ceremony

Horsley’s Bronze Star with Combat “V” Certificate

Horsley’s Bronze Star with Combat “V” Award Narrative

Presidential Unit Citation for OPERATION SEA LORDS, 1968

Presidential Unit Citation for OPERATION SWIFT RAIDER 1968-1969

Horsley’s Coast Guard Achievement Medal Narrative