William Sheldon Schwob is from Buffalo, N.Y., where he was graduated from Lafayette High School in 1944. After graduating from Hilder Prep School in Washington, D.C., in 1945, he entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., with an appointment of a cadet. He was graduated with Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and with a commission to Ensign on June 3, 1949.
His earliest assignments included duty as Deck Watch Officer first in the USCGC Tamaroa (WATF-166) and then in the USCGC Rockaway (EHEC-377), both at the Third Coast Guard District office at New York.
From Sept. 1952 to March 1953, he served as Executive Officer of the USCGC Agassiz (WCG-126) out of Morehead City, N.C. He next commanded the newly built 95-ft. patrol cutter USCGC Cape Upright (WPB-953003) out of Norfolk, Va. after having placed that cutter in commission in July 1953. From July 1954 to July 1955, he was assigned as a student in Communications at the USN Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. From there he was assigned as Chief, Communications Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District, Norfolk, Va., during the next four years.
From July 1959 to December 1960, he served as Executive Officer of the tender Tupelo (WLB-303) in the Great Lakes out of Toledo, Ohio. During his next tour of duty he was stationed at San Francisco as Chief, Communications Branch first in the Coast Guard District Office and then in the office of the USCGC Cherokee (WMEC-165), based at Norfolk, Va. In July 1967, he reported at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., for duty as Asst. Chief, Officer Personnel Division.
From May 1971 to July 1972, he commanded the polar icebreaker USCGC Southwind (WAGB-280), based at Baltimore, Md., on missions to the Antarctic “Operation Deep Freeze 1972” mission, a mountain peak in Marie Byrd Land area was named “Schwob Peak”. For that sojourn he was awarded the Antarctic Service Medal.
After a year of student work, he was graduated from the National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C., in July 1973, and received a Master of Science Degree from George Washington University (1973). During the next two years he served as Commandant of the Cadets at the Coast Guard Academy. For his service in that post he was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal.
By nomination of President Ford on January 17, 1975, and with the approval of the Senate, the then CAPT Schwob was appointed a flag officer to rank as permanent Rear Admiral from September 1, 1975. In June 1975, however, he assumed the vacated flag ranking post of Chief, Office of Reserve at Headquarters. For two years of exceptionally meritorious achievement in the performance of those duties, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
RADM Schwob received his next orders to assume the post of Commander, First Coast Guard District, Boston, Mass., effective during change-of-command ceremonies on June 20, 1977 (relieving transferring RADM James P. Steward, USCG).
Following is resume of RADM Schwob’s appointments in rank: Ensign, June 3, 1949; Lieutenant (jg), September 27, 1951; Lieutenant, April 1, 1955; Lieut. Commander, August 1, 1960; Commander, July 1, 1965; Captain, June 11, 1971; Rear Admiral, September 1, 1975.
RADM Schwob’s wife is the former Mary Eleanor R. of Jermyn, Pa., a graduate of Maryland College for Women. They have four daughters, Mary Ellen, Catherine R., Susan Ann, and Sarah Lee.