Coast Guard Commissions New Cutter Named for Leader, Mentor and Trailblazer John Witherspoon

The Coast Guard commissioned the Cutter John Witherspoon into active service during a ceremony in Kodiak. Alaska, on April 3, 2025.

Seventeenth Coast Guard District Commander Rear Admiral Megan Dean presided over the ceremony with members of the Witherspoon family in attendance, including Regina Nash, daughter of the cutter’s namesake and sponsor.  

As is the tradition when a new cutter is added to the fleet, the Coast Guard Foundation honored the crew’s service by presenting them with a $5,000 gift to start its morale fund.

“This gift is a sign of our respect, pride, and unwavering support,” shared Susan Ludwig, Coast Guard Foundation president.  “May the cutter be guided by the legacy of its namesake and find strength in unity, purpose, and service to our nation.”

The John Witherspoon is the 58th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) in the Coast Guard’s fleet and is the first of three FRCs to be stationed in Kodiak. According to a Coast Guard press release, the cutter and its crew will primarily operate in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and the North Pacific Ocean. Its missions will include search and rescue, fisheries patrols, drug and migrant interdiction, and national defense.

All fast response cutters are named for a Coast Guard hero and this ship honors Captain John G. Witherspoon, a trailblazing Coast Guard officer who enlisted in 1963 and was commissioned as an ensign in 1971. Witherspoon was the first African American to command a medium endurance cutter and was known as a dedicated and impactful mentor to many throughout his career. His distinguished career earned him the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal and two Coast Guard Commendation Medals.

“Throughout his career, Witherspoon distinguished himself as a model professional. However, not just professional achievements cemented the legacy of Captain Witherspoon. Instead, ‘Papa Spoon’ will be remembered most for his wise counsel, superb personal example, and compassionate mentoring of so many Coast Guard men and women,” shared Capt John E. Williams, USCG (Ret.), in a 2022 MyCG article profiling the officer.

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Photo credit: top cover photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Logan Hoover.  Witherspoon family photo submitted by the family.  Cutter crew, honored guests and Witherspoon family photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Snell. Cutter dressed in Kodiak by Petty Officer 1st Class Shannon Kearney.