Thomas Trask Wetmore III is from New London, Conn., where he was graduated from Bulkeley High School in 1943. He attended Yale University in 1943-44.
Entering the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., with an appointment of Cadet in July 1944, he was graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering and with a commission of Ensign on June 4, 1948.
His earliest assignments were served as Deck Watch Officer onboard the cutters USCGC Owasco, USCGC McCullough, and USCGC Yamacraw, all based at Boston, Mass. Beginning in July 1951, he was assigned for one year as a student at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, Calif.
From August to June 1955, he was stationed in the Communications Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C. During the following two years, he served as Executive Officer in the tender USCGC Mariposa out of New London. From June 1957 to May 1961, he served as Instructor in the Professional Studies Dept. at the Coast Guard Academy.
He next commanded the tender USCGC Papaw out of Charleston, S.C. for one year and a half. From January 1963 to May 1967, he served as Chief Communications Branch, 5th Coast Guard District, Portsmouth, Va. During the next two years he commanded the USCGC Chincoteague out of Norfolk, Va., on ocean station patrol and search and rescue. For that service he was awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (1969).
In July 1969, he was ordered to Governors Island, N.Y., where he first served for two years in the Coast Guard Atlantic Area office as Communications Officer, and served the next four years in the 3rd Coast Guard District office first as Chief, Aids to Navigation Branch and then as Chief, Operations Division. For exceptional meritorious achievement in the performance of those duties he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (1975). In August 1975, he was named Deputy Commander, Atlantic Area. After serving one year in that post he was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (1976). Meanwhile, he earned a Master of Arts Degree from New York University in 1973.
CAPT Wetmore assumed the post of Assistant Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy I 1976, in which he remained for one year.
By nomination of the President on January 19, 1977, and following the approval of the Senate, the then CAPT Wetmore was appointed flag officer to rank as permanent Rear Admiral from July 1, 1977. He was then named to the post of Chief, Office of Reserve at Headquarters effective in June 1977. In March 1979 he returned to the Fifth Coast Guard District as District Commander.
Following is a resume of RADM Wetmore’s appointments in rank: Ensign, June 24, 1948; Lieutenant (jg), January 19, 1951; Lieutenant, August 26, 1952; Lieut. Commander, June 1, 1960; Commander, June 1, 1965; Captain, August 1, 1970; Rear Admiral, July 1, 1977.
RADM Wetmore’s wife is the former Joan M. H. of New London, Conn., a graduate of Mitchell College, New London. They have five children: Thomas T. IV, James R., Jennifer W., Judith J., and Daniel H.