May 24, 2007 — Lt. Alvin F. Dalmida, a native of St. Thomas, retired from the U.S. Coast Guard Thursday after more than 25 years of service, according to a Coast Guard news release.
The Charlotte Amalie graduate enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1982 and was first assigned to the cutter Tamaroam home ported at Governor’s Island in New York City. He was most recently assigned to TISCOM as the very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) project engineer, having oversight of the Coast Guard VHF and UHF radio systems and managing logistical support of radio systems for Coast Guard units nationwide, including those of deployed cutters in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“The past 25 years in the Coast Guard have been a blessing, and I’m honored to have been of service to the country,” Dalmida said. “During my numerous tours of duty, I have come to appreciate the generosity, the support and the selfless devotion of my fellow Coasties. I thank everyone who helped and inspired me along this journey to my many personal and career successes.”
Dalmida’s career highlights include the following tours of duty: Coast Guard cutter Point Franklin in Cape May, N.J.; Electronics “A” school in Governors Island; Coast Guard Long Range Navigation Station in Sellia Marina, Italy and in L’Estartit Spain; Coast Guard cutter Thetis in Key West, Fla.; U.S. Consulate in Nassau, Bahamas; U.S. Consulate Barbados; and Coast Guard Navigation Center in Alexandria, Va.
While Dalmida’s career spans from being a junior enlisted petty officer to a career officer whose occupational specialty is in telecommunication and electronics, he also functioned as lead project officer/recruiter for the V.I. Recruiting Initiative. "His charismatic and engaging personality helped launch successful Coast Guard careers for several young men and women from his hometown," the news release said.
“Lt. Dalmida is a role model and the guiding force behind the exposure of Virgin Islanders to this fine institution (the Coast Guard Academy),” said Coast Guard Cadet First Class Elroy Allen. “He empowered many others with the opportunity to develop as a leader and to strive for things that would not be possible otherwise.”
“Lt. Dalmida is truly a Virgin Islands hero,” said Ensign Karima Greenaway, damage control assistant, Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless. “Over the years he has given selflessly to a number of young Virgin Islanders by providing moral support and unprecedented devotion to their personal development. He has offered guidance and leadership tools to benefit those in their journey within the Coast Guard and beyond.”
Dalmida’s top three military awards are the Department of Defense Joint Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal and Commandant Letter of Commendation. He is married to the former Dawn I. Truax, of Hope, British Columbia.
