Susan Ludwig, Coast Guard Foundation President, served as the chairperson of the commissioning committee. “I am truly honored to work with the commissioning committee to welcome the William Chadwick to the fleet,” shared Ludwig. “I am confident the crew will expertly fulfill their duties here in Boston and throughout the Northeast.”

The Coast Guard Foundation donated $5,000 to set up the cutter’s morale fund.

“Our support helps Coast Guard members maintain their physical and mental well-being, so they are ready to serve,” added Susan. “We are fortunate to partner with Bollinger Shipyards, L3Harris, and First Command to strengthen our commitment to the cutter and its crew.”

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished themselves in the line of duty. This cutter is named for William Chadwick, a keeper of the Green Island Lifeboat Station in New Jersey. He received the Congressional Gold Lifesaving Medal for the rescue of the crew of the schooner George Taulane in 1880.

Nathan Pokress, a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, is a direct descendant of William Chadwick.

“I am honored to carry on his legacy of heroism and bravery as a member of our United States Coast Guard,” said Pokress.

The Coast Guard Foundation supported four other Fast Response Cutter commissionings and established morale funds for each this year, including Cutter John Scheuerman, Cutter Clarence Sutpin Jr., Cutter Pablo Valent, and Cutter Douglas Denman.