PAUL YOST Obituary
YOST PAUL ALEXANDER YOST, JR. Paul Alexander Yost, Jr., was born in Philadelphia, PA, on January 3, 1929, and slipped peacefully into the eternities on February 9, 2022, just 46 days after his beloved wife, Janice Kay Worth, died on Christmas Day 2021. Paul was the oldest of two children born to Army Major Paul and Jeanne Yost Sr. Paul and his brother Larry spent their high school years in St. Petersburg, FL. The "Yost boys" were known for their high jinks and practical jokes. Paul married Jan Worth upon his graduation from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1951. In 1955 Paul and Jan made the decision to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church). Paul's conversion resulted in a lifetime of Christian discipleship. He served in several prominent Church positions, including as a member of the Church's Military Affairs Committee and served (with Jan) as Church Ambassadors to the United Nations. They successfully obtained "Special Consultative Status" for Latter-day Saint Charities providing the organization UN recognition around the world. In 1969 CDR Yost served a 13-month tour in Vietnam and was the Commander, Task Group 115.3, a combat command on the coast of Vietnam where he led numerous missions into the Mekong Delta. During his tour he received the Silver Star Medal, Legionof Merit with Combat V, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese 2nd Class Order Navy Distinguished Service, Medal Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with Palm, and the Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. During his career Admiral Yost was also awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Transportation Distinguished Service Medal, the Coast Guard distinguished Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Admiral Yost became the 18th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on 30 May 1986. He was nominated to the position by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. During his tenure he worked to increase the Coast Guard's emphasis on the military/naval capabilities and added armament and naval warfare systems to the Coast Guard's major cutter fleet. He directed the Coast Guard's War on Drugs and significantly reduced the flow of illegal drugs into the country. Admiral Yost led the Coast Guard's efforts to clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, AK. He served as the Commander of the Atlantic Area, Commander Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic, Commander Third District in New York City, NY, the Commander of the Tenth District in New Orleans, LA; and was the Commanding Officer of the USCG Cutter RESOLUTE in San Francisco, CA. Admiral Yost was appointed as the inaugural President of The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, where he served for 20 years. The Foundation provides scholarships to secondary school teachers to help them become scholars of the United States Constitution. Paul was a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, and mentor. He was a man of great faith and served others throughout his life. He is survived by his five children: Linda (Mark) Barrand, Chip (Mary Ann), David, Lisa (Peter) Galvin, and Christopher (Michelle), 11 grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren, his brother, Larry (Jackie), and was preceded in death by wife Jan and his parents. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Potomac Chapel on 11700 Falls Road, Potomac, MD. A funeral service will be held for Paul and Jan on Tuesday, March 29, at 9 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Washington, DC. Stake Center on 10000 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD 20895 (next to the Washington D.C. Temple). A burial service will be held at the Arlington National Cemetery at 1 p.m. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Pierce Funeral Homes.The family will receive friends on Monday, March 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Potomac Chapel on 11700 Falls Road, Potomac, MD. A funeral service will be held for Paul and Jan on Tuesday, March 29, at 9 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Washington, DC. Stake Center on 10000 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD 20895 (next to the Washington D.C. Temple). A burial service will be held at the Arlington National Cemetery at 1 p.m. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Pierce Funeral Homes.
Published by The Washington Post on Mar. 22, 2022.