THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 2, 1995 TAG: 9512020578
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
If Master Chief Petty Officer James T. Woltz was soaring Friday, it was no wonder.
Not only did the departing Woltz have his retirement certificate presented to him by the Coast Guard's top official, but he is no longer the service's reigning Ancient Albatross.
``It's a great honor to be here, especially to honor Master Chief Woltz, who has served 42 years and logged 14,000 flight hours, which is really incredible,'' said Adm. Robert E. Kramek, the Coast Guard commandant who once served with Woltz in the Coast Guard's 7th District.
In 1990, Woltz's longevity earned him the distinction as the Coast Guard's first Enlisted Ancient Albatross, established for the active duty member with the earliest graduation date from ``A'' school in aviation.
``I loved all the people that were there, the aura that was in the whole place,'' Woltz, 61, said at a reception that followed his retirement ceremony at the Elizabeth City Air Station.
``I love what I do. This is what I lived for.''
More than 130 Coast Guard personnel and another 100 military and civilian guests watched, and sometimes chuckled, as Woltz turned over his Albatross ``uniform'' - leather flight suit, matching aviator's cap and goggles - to Master Chief Petty Officer Eric A. Trent, the new Ancient Albatross with more than 32 years of aviation service.
Trent, who is stationed in Washington, D.C., said he was on hand when Woltz was given the first Enlisted Ancient Albatross distinction five years ago. Officers have been given the title since 1965.
``I remember sitting out there and saying to myself, `What a fitting, perfect example we have out there to represent us as an Ancient Albatross,' '' Trent said during the 40-minute ceremony.
Another 40 minutes was devoted to Woltz's retirement, which he and his wife admit ended earlier than expected because of recent policy changes.
``He planned to stay another year, but I think he's accepted it now and he's OK. He's totally dedicated to the Coast Guard, and the Coast Guard has been very good to him,'' said Lorraine Stevenson Woltz.
Both Woltzes were given numerous gifts, plaques, certificates and rounds of applause during the ceremonies.
Woltz also earned his second Meritorious Service Medal. The award extends a long list that includes two Coast Guard Commendation medals, a Coast Guard Achievement Medal, combat action ribbon, unit and team commendations, 12 good conduct and three national defense medals.
Lorraine Woltz, a former Coast Guard Spouse of the Year, also received a Meritorious Service Medal for Public Service.
Woltz said he served with 19 commanding officers at six installations during his long career. His last stint was as the C-130 Technical Services Representative at the Aircraft Repair and Supply Center here.
Kramek and other senior officers and enlisted members praised the retiring master chief for his leadership and mentoring.
The Coast Guard's top officer said Woltz upholds the service's tradition of honor, respect and devotion to duty.
``He calls himself a workaholic,'' Kramek said at the reception at the Officer's Club on base. ``I call it devotion to duty.
``The Coast Guard is 205 years old, and his career spans almost one-fifth of that whole time.''
Woltz said he and his wife plan to travel for the next year. ``We may even come back to Elizabeth City,'' Lorraine Woltz said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DREW C. WILSON, The Virginian-Pilot
Master Chief Petty Officer James T. Woltz, center, relinquishes his
Ancient Albatross plaque to Master Chief Petty Officer Eric A. Trent
to complement the uniform - a leather flight suit, cap and goggles -
already passed on to him. The distinction is based on length of
service.
by CNB