Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/635271
September 19, 2015, was an important day for members of (now decommissioned) Port Security Unit (PSU) 303. Retired PSU members gathered in Milwaukee, Wis., at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan to celebrate two important events. First was an opportunity to observe and commemorate the 25th anniversary of PSU 303's historic mobilization and deployment to the Persian Gulf in preparation for OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Second, and of equal importance, was to celebrate the correction of a military oversight and to join in recognizing and commending the original Commanding Officer of PSU 303. Thirty- five friends, family and retired PSU 303 members gathered to honor Cmdr. Anthony Kranitz, USCGR (ret.) who suffered an incapacitating medical condition during the early stages of deployment for Operation Desert Shield/Storm (ODS). Rear Adm. Steven E. Day, USCGR (ret.) presided as Cmdr. Kranitz was recognized for his outstanding leadership in the training of PSU 303 for the first-ever overseas deployment of Coast Guard reservists for joint-military port security and harbor defense duties. During the formal ceremony hosted by Commander, USCG Sector Lake Michigan, Rear Adm. Day presented well-deserved certificates of appreciation to Mrs. Kranitz and the Kranitz children for their support throughout his career. In addition, he presented Cmdr. Kranitz with two long-overdue awards. First was the Port Security insignia, which Cmdr. Kranitz had earned through multiple training evolutions and actual overseas deployment with his unit. Second was the Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership during the initial stages of deployment and standup of PSU 303 in the operational theatre. During both award citations, Rear Adm. Day noted the challenging circumstances that faced PSU 303 as it trained and transitioned from a conceptual model to becoming a commissioned unit. Day also recounted a 72-hour period in which unit members were challenged by the adjustment from cool Midwest temperatures to a harsh climate on arrival at the military port at Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Initially, several unit members suffered weather-related illnesses that stemmed from intense operations in high temperatures and humidity. Unfortunately, Cmdr. Kranitz was one of those members. He suffered an incapacitating medical event that required evacuation, intense medical treatment, rehabilitation and eventual honorable-medical discharge. Because Cmdr. Kranitz' medical treatment fell outside a normal Coast Guard chain of command, his leadership during training activities and actual deployment were not recognized at the time of discharge. For the past twenty-five years he demonstrated loyalty to his PSU shipmates by attending numerous unit reunions and member retirements in full uniform despite physical challenges. At a recent retirement event, it was noted he was not wearing a PSU insignia or a military award that recognized his command leadership during the ODS ramp-up training and deployment. To reconcile this omission, Rear Adm. Day took the lead by implementing several administrative procedures required to award the PSU insignia and an appropriate military award. ReseRvist Magazine RetiRee sitRep Not Forgotten: Cmdr. Anthony Kranitz Recognized for Service during Operation Desert Shield Members of PSU 303 in attendance on occasion of 25th anniversary of deployment for operation desert Shield and Storm and commendation of Cmdr. Kranitz' service. 56 RESERVIST � Issue 1 • 2016