John G. Witherspoon

John G. Witherspoon, Sr.
Witherspoon in 1993
Born(1939-08-26)August 26, 1939
Yadkin Valley, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedJanuary 4, 1994(1994-01-04) (aged 54)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Other namesJohn Gordon Witherspoon
John G. Witherspoon
Papa Spoon[1]
Occupationsailor
Known forOnly the second individual of African-American descent to command a Coast Guard Cutter

John Gordon Witherspoon, Sr.[1] (August 26, 1939 – January 4, 1994) was a distinguished sailor in the United States Coast Guard.[2] Born in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina[3] and raised in Lenoir, North Carolina,[1] Witherspoon started his military career in the United States Army and later enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1963, where, after promotion to Quartermaster First Class, he was invited to attended Officer training school, and was commissioned an ensign, in 1971. Witherspoon would eventually command three Coast Guard cutters, Mallow, Valiant and Dependable, and rise to the rank of captain. He was only the second individual of African-American descent to command a cutter, and was the first individual of African-American descent to command a Coast Guard base.

Witherspoon died on January 4, 1994, in New Orleans, Louisiana[4] and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[2]

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  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference UscgWitherspoonBio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference birth was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bulletin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).