John William Beal, of Hingham and Oak Bluffs, was awarded a bachelor of science in government and international affairs and a commission as Ensign in the United States Coast Guard on May 18

As a senior, John held the position of company commander of Foxtrot Company, leading his company in Regimental Review and daily cadet activities. Heis a four-year member of the NCAA varsity wrestling team and two year member of the men’s rugby football club. John was chosen one of 85 cadets to march in the inaugural parade for PresidentObama. In 2008 John spent five weeks on the US Coast Guard Barque Eagle, America’s tall ship, sailing from Mazatlan, Mexico to Astoria, Ore., and gaining practice in the service traditions and seamanship. He also served as a cadre for the Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) during his 2009 summer term, and gained operational experience underway as a member of the Wardroom on the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless out of Galveston, Tex., in summer 2010, performing a counter-narcotics patrol under Joint Inter-Agency Task Force-South, for which he received a distinguished commendation.

During his four years at the academy, John earned a Coast Guard unit commendation ribbon, team commendation ribbon, national defense ribbon and medal, and coast guard pistol marksmanship ribbon.

As an Ensign, John will be billeted as a Deck Watch Officer onboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, a 270-foot cutter out of Key West, Fla., which serves the Coast Guard in a wide variety of missions including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and alien migrant interdiction operations.

Ensign Beal is the son of Brenda Gerosa-Beal and Robert F. Beal, Jr. of Hingham and Oak Bluffs.