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Published May 21, 2009, 12:00 AM

World War II veteran Marty Best remembers


Marty Best enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in December 1942, one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and sailed throughout the Pacific. Submitted photos

  • Marty Best enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in December 1942, one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and sailed throughout the Pacific. Submitted photos
  • Marty Best and his wife to be, Donna, on the shores of Phalen Lake in St. Paul while he was home on leave from the Coast Guard during World War II.
  • Marty Best served on the USS Centaurus (AKA–17), a U.S. Navy attack cargo ship manned by the Coast Guard. He sailed across the Pacific and to China in the vessel.
  • The Coast Guard Cutter Nemaha (148) was Marty Best’s first ship. Above it is pictured for submarine chasing duty with depth charges on the stern.
  • Marty Best, home on leave during World War II, strikes a pose in front of his future mother-in-law’s house in St. Paul.
  • Marty Best worked 34 years for 3M and served as distributor relations manager for the TelComm Products Division of the company.
  • Over a cup of coffee in North Hudson, Marty Best recalled his experiences while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. His service took him to far-flung areas of the globe.