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The Plant City Courier & Tribune

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Plant City Honors Coast Guard Petty Officer

By GEORGE WILKENS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 26, 2008

PLANT CITY Petty Officer Phillip Waldron was honored Monday by the city for being named the United Service Organizations (USO) Coast Guardsman of the Year award.
The son of former City Manager Phil Waldron, he received a proclamation from the city commission and another from state Rep. Rich Glorioso.
Waldron said the honor really must be shared with all 22 members of the special emergency response boarding team aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell, patrolling the Northern Arabian Gulf.
During his combat tour that began in May 2007, Waldron led coalition Special Forces teams on a series of counter-terrorism boardings and other missions. He directly contributed to foiling a terrorist plot to transport cars with improvised explosive devices into Iraq, cites the city's proclamation.
Waldron is additionally credited with providing medical assistance to revive an unconscious Iranian fisherman.
"Brave men and women have served our country for many years," said Glorioso, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and former city commissioner. "And I want to salute you for your service to our country."
After visiting Plant City, Waldron, who lives outside Detroit, resumed active duty at U.S. Coast Guard Station Belle Isle on the Great Lakes.
His father served in the Coast Guard for 34 years.