Three Fast Response Cutters Commissioned in Texas
Grants from the Coast Guard Foundation provide health and wellness support to the ships’ crews
Over the first half of this year, the Coast Guard commissioned three Fast Response Cutters in Galveston, Texas, where they will patrol 900 miles of coastline for the Coast Guard’s Eighth District, from Carrabelle, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas.
Each time the Coast Guard brings a new cutter to the fleet, the Coast Guard Foundation provides a grant to start the ship’s morale fund. These grants support the crew’s health and wellness, so they can remain always ready for their assignments and maintain their own physical and mental well-being while at sea.
Health and wellness goals can be fulfilled with things like fitness and exercise gear to workout, an onboard lending library of books to read, and other recreation equipment selected by Coast Guard service members assigned to the ship.
The Fast Response Cutter fleet is named for Coast Guard heroes, and the Coast Guard Foundation joins with the Coast Guard in honoring their namesakes’ service.
Coxswains Daniel Tarr, Harold Miller, Glen Harris, and William Sparling piloted the first landing craft during the United States' first amphibious landing in the Pacific Theater in World War II. For landing the Marines’ first wave at Tulagi, the Navy awarded Silver Star Medals to the four Coast Guard members and advanced them in their rating. They were the first Coast Guard enlisted service members to receive the Silver Star. All four will have fast response cutters named for their heroism; the Glen Harris and William Sparling are currently in production. To learn more about their service in World War II, read more in this blog post from the Coast Guard Historian's Office.
Boatswains Mate First Class Edgar A. Culbertson lost his life in an effort to save three teenagers - all brothers- in Duluth, Minnesota in April 1967. Culbertson and two other Coast Guard members attempted to tether themselves with rope during the rescue attempt. For his heroism, BM1 Culbertson was awarded the Coast Guard Medal, posthumously.
Cover Photo Caption: The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller stand at attention at the commissioning ceremony at Sector Field Office Galveston, Texas, July 15, 2020. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Paige Hause.
