Harry Duvall enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in the 1960s and trained as an electronics technician. After graduating from college, he returned to the Coast Guard as a civilian employee based at the district engineering office in Boston. For well over 30 years, he coordinated all the lighthouse automation and modernization projects for the First Coast Guard District.
This interview looks back at Harry’s fascinating career, with lots of “stories behind the stories” for his many lighthouse projects. Harry’s expertise, resilience, and good humor shine through. Joining in the discussion is retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral Dan May. As an ocean engineer for the Coast Guard, Dan worked with Harry on many lighthouse projects in the Northeast. The interview was recorded at Harry Duvall’s home in Falmouth, Maine, in December 2023.
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Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is the president and historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org
went into coast guard in 1962 was lightship sailor on wal612, was on east brothers light, alcatraz light, mile rock light, relief keeper 12th coast guard district, was a wickie for sure
Hi Russell – Thanks for your comment! You sure had some interesting assignments in the Coast Guard, wow!