CDR Peter A. Mast
December 16, 1947 – October 7, 1988
Peter Mast enlisted in the Navy in March 1970 after receiving his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees. As a seaman recruit, he attended “A” school at Corry Statin and later served as a Cryptologic Technician at Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Sabana Seca Puerto Rico. In May of 1971 he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport RI and commissioned as an Ensign in September 1971 and returned to Corry Station as a student.
His assignments as a Cryptologic Officer included: NSGA Kamiseya, Japan; Naval Reserve Buffalo NY; Naval Communications Station Rota, Spain; Commander Sixth Fleet Staff; NTTC Corry Station (Fleet systems Division Officer); NSGA Keflavik Iceland (as Commanding Officer); Chief of Staff Naval Operations (OP-92); returning to Pensacola in June 1988 in the key position of Program Manager for Cryptologic, Intelligence and Electronic Warfare training for the Naval Education Training.
His decorations included: Meritorious Service Medal, Naval Commendation Medal ( 2 awards), Naval Achievement Medal (2 awards); Naval Unit Commendation; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Medal; Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2 stars); Overseas Ribbon (3 stars); and Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.
Commander Peter A. Mast, USN, made many significant contributions to Cryptologic and Electronic Warfare training. His initiatives, resourcefulness and enthusiasm were the catalysis for improvements in a wide range of training programs, resources and methods. His efforts greatly enhanced training and increased operational readiness for thousands of Cryptologic and Electronic Warfare personnel.
CDR Mast died on October 7, 1988 from a heart attack while conducting physical training on Corry Station. Building 3781 onboard Corry Station, Pensacola FL was dedicated in his honor.
16 December 2017 at 14:33
What I remember best about Pete was his sense of humor. He served at Kamiseya while I was at Atsugi flying with VQ-1 and was on watch when I sent my only Critique from a USN airplane, saying the Soviets were preparing to launch weapons on an unknown (to them) submarine. Luckily nothing happened. Latter that night I was having a welcome post-flight drink in the Atsugi o’club when Pete walked in, having just gotten off watch. I greeted him with “I bet you have had an interesting day!”
He jauntily replied, “No,I never liked John Brinker anyway.” And we both burst out laughing as we both suspected John, a mutual friend of ours and a great guy, was on the submarine that the Soviets had prepared to attack, and then had not….
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