GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — The desire to serve one's country — regardless of branch of service — is a desire that is often passed from one generation to the next. For many military members, having a family history of military service is quite common.
For Coast Guard Lt. James Thach, a reserve member of the Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91101 from Seattle, Wash., currently deployed to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, family history can be explained in one simple reference; USS Thach (FFG 43).
James' great-uncle, John Smith Thach, a naval aviator who developed an air combat tactic, aptly named the Thach Weave, earned his place in history and his name on a ship for his contributions to the Navy during World War II, the Korean War and to anti-submarine warfare, which was a primary focus during the Cold War.
"I don't know that I can count the number of [my family members] who have served [in the military], James said. "On my mother's side, my grandmother and grandfather were both Marines, my grandfather served in Guadalcanal in WWII and [served] throughout the entire war. He was enlisted and [then promoted to] officer.
"On my father's side, our [military] history goes back to the beginning of the country," James continued. "There are rumors that it goes all the way back to the first naval shot [fired] during the Revolutionary War; [however], we were never able to confirm it so it's only rumor, but our history goes very deep."
James has served with the Coast Guard for 12 years, was prior enlisted and served as a boatswain's mate before he took his commission as an officer. Currently he supports waterborne and military commissions security for Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
"I was immersed in the Coast Guard from a very young age and I've been surrounded by Coast Guard officers and enlisted [members] my entire life," James said. "My father worked at Sikorsky Aircraft and was the program manager for the [HH-60J] Jayhawk [Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter]. I remember in second grade [my father] took me to an airfield where I watched a [Sikorsky] H-52 [Seaguard helicopter] fly in to deliver a part. From that moment on, I decided that the Coast Guard was the way to go."
James' grandfather, the brother of Adm. John Thach, also served a distinguished career, earning the rank of vice admiral.
"My grandfather was the commanding officer for the USS Missouri (BB 63) immediately after WWII," James said. "Both my grandfather and his brother got to nearly the exact same point in their careers through different routes — one by shooting down Japanese fighter pilots, the other by completing classified transport missions to supply assets.
"What most people don't recognize," James continued, "is what John Thach did was a lot more than just being a pilot. Yes, he helped win WWII against the Japanese because of the "Thach Weave," but more-so, because later on in his career, he designed anti-submarine warfare [tactics and techniques]. He was [able to] put all of the facets of the Navy together ... which is what excelled him to become a four-star admiral."
Adm. Thach's achievements, specifically in anti-submarine warfare, are what earned him the cover of Time Magazine in [Sept. 1958].
James has been in contact with the command of USS Thach and upon completion of his tour here, his goal is to tour the ship.
"Ironically, there are people here, assigned to JTF Guantanamo, who [previously served on USS] Thach, and approached me to ask if I was related [to the ship's namesake]," James said. "The crew of the Thach is extremely professional and [very knowledgeable] about the [ship]."
James' pride in his family history shines through in his words and actions but with a humility that is echoed in his words.
"I look at [my family history] as a reminder of what we can do if we really strive," James said. "In my family, there's never been a question of where we came from or how we got there, but how hard we worked to get there ... we [are all capable of doing] great things."
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.