Change of command at Neah Bay station

Published 12:01 am Sunday, July 8, 2012

NEAH BAY — Chief Warrant Officer Ursula W. Walther has assumed command of Coast Guard Station Neah Bay.

The change-of-command ceremony was Thursday at the Coast Guard station.

Walther is the first woman chief warrant officer to command a small boat station in the 13th Coast Guard District, said Petty Officer Nathan Littlejohn, Coast Guard spokesman.

She replaces Chief Warrant Officer Robert C. Schmidt, who will transfer to the 14th Coast Guard District Waterways Management Branch in Honolulu.

Walther, who enlisted in the Coast Guard in March 1994, previously served as the operations training officer for the Coast Guard Auxiliary in the 7th Coast Guard District.

She has served as the executive petty officer for two small boat stations and one Coast Guard patrol boat, and has served as the officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Oswego, N.Y.

Walther’s awards include two Coast Guard commendation medals, two Coast Guard achievement medals, two letter-of-commendation ribbons and five Coast Guard good conduct medals.