Harald Ronhave

2741 NE 5th Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33062

May 25th, 2002

Board of Directors
Deerfield Country Club

Picture:
Harald ( lower left) hosting members of DGA,
March 30 - 2002
I was born in Denmark July 18, 1922, and graduated from High School in June 1938, Then on July fourth I signed on my first ship, as a Deck Officer Apprentice for the J L Lauritzen Company. In June 1939, I became a Cadet on the Danish Government t sail training ship Denmark. My assignment was to represent Denmark at the New York World's Fair, then on to a training cruise off the American Coast and in the Caribbean. However, the cruise was interrupted when Germany invaded Denmark.

During the war years I sailed on various allied ships, going where needed, and in the process had two ships sunk under me by enemy action. After the war, I obtained permanent employment with Exxon Shipping Company. During those years, I had various temporary assignments in Spain, Japan and New York, and was responsible for sales development and Government contacts for ship'scoatings. I ended my 37-year career with Exxon as Master on the tanker Exxon Lexington.

In 1986, at the recommendation of Exxon, I accepted the assignment as Master of the Texas Clipper, a training ship for Texas A & M University at Galveston, for their summer cruise to Denmark and Russia. This was a great experience working with cadets, and it was also the Texas sesquicentennial anniversary.A Dane designed the Texas Lone Star Flag. We presented a flag to Aalobor and Copenhagen.

In June 1945, I married Johanna. We have three children and six grandchildren.

I am a long time member of The Friends of Denmark. I also belong to The Merchant Marine Veterans Gulf stream Chapter. I served as past President of the council of American Master Mariners, Port Everglades & Miami Chapter, and am a member of the Deerfield Country Golf Club.