Paul Petrilla

USS GARCIA (FF-1040) was a Garcia-class frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on December 21, 1964. Named in honor of U.S. Marine Private First Class Fernando Luis Garcia, the ship was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era. Throughout her service, USS GARCIA participated in numerous Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, supporting NATO operations and maintaining a forward presence. She was decommissioned on January 31, 1989, and later transferred to the Pakistan Navy, where she served as PNS Saif.

The **Boiler Technician** (BT) was a vital enlisted rating in the United States Navy, established in the early 20th century to operate and maintain shipboard steam propulsion systems. Boiler Technicians were responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of steam boilers, as well as associated equipment such as pumps, blowers, and fuel systems. During World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War, BTs ensured the Navy’s steam-powered vessels remained mission-capable and ready for combat or support operations. The rating was eventually merged into the **Machinist’s Mate** (MM) rating in 1996, reflecting advancements in naval propulsion technology and the decline of steam-powered ships in the modern fleet.