Michael D. Guard

AUTHOR BIO
Michael Douglas Guard
Born in Miami Beach, Florida in 1950. Left High School in grade eleven to join the U.S. Army, with the understanding that he would complete High School before exiting the Army. As an “enlisted” soldier (as opposed to“drafted”) he would have to serve a three year term of service. Author entered service at Fort Gordon, Ga. for Basic Training (nine weeks). Then on to Advanced Individual Training (A.I.T.) for Helicopter Repairman (67N20). Once his education was complete, orders came immediately for duty in Viet Nam.

Having survived Viet Nam for one year he returned stateside to be stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. While there were no jobs available for helicopter crewman due to all the returning servicemen. Assigned to 2nd Armored Division to assist in training R.O.T.C. in the field acting as an enemy to attack advancing infantry troops. Then spent three months in the field on a secret project called “MASTER” an acronym for, “Military Armament Systems, Testing, Evaluation and Review”. Exiting the service with his H.S. Diploma, he married, and they had one daughter.

Guard eventually found work in the Marine business in Miami as a forklift operator lifting boats out of the water and placing them on racks at a storage facility. Soon he found work at a yacht manufacturer as an electrician and eventually became the head Marine Electrical Engineer for the company.

With his experience he was offered a lucrative position with another boat company that built Hi-performance Offshore Powerboats, which began his further adventures in Offshore Powerboat Racing, where Guard crewed the boat as Navigator. A competing boat builder hired Mr. Guard to manufacture their Hi-performance boats as General Manager. Years later, Guard purchased the company he worked at.

With a desire to use his acquired knowledge, Yachting was the natural upward progression. Guard found his way into the lucrative Yacht Brokerage business. After so many years in a troubled economy, Guard became an independent contractor as a professional (non-licensed} captain, making yacht deliveries and providing owner instruction. During a four year period Guard amassed 44,000 nautical miles. Guard retired at age 62.

Hobbies and Sports, Guard is an outdoorsman and avid boater. He enjoyed Motorcycling, Scuba Diving (holding a Naui Divers Certificate), and Racquetball. A former Hang Glider pilot with a U.S.H.G.A., hang rating of 3, and past President of the Florida Free Flight Assoc. On Nov.10th,1979 Guard made the first International Hang Glider flight from the south island of Bimini, Bahamas while being towed by boat, across the 48 mile stretch of ocean to Miami Beach, Florida, setting three unofficial records, 1) longest distance while on tow 2) set a speed record of two hours & ten minutes 3) First International Hang Glider flight. President (fmr.) Greater Miami Marine Assoc. Lifetime member of; (VHCMA) Vietnam Helicopter Crew members Assoc.