The Key West will be getting one of six new Coast Guard cutters and one will be named after a World War II hero, Charles Walter David Jr.
Keys Net reported that Key West will be getting six new coast guard cutters to aid in water patrol, rescue missions, counter-narcotics and more.
Each cutter costs $75 million, can go 32 mph and a range of 2,900 miles. A crew of 24 people can fit in each vessel.
Miami Herald reported that the first vessel to be commissioned will be named Charles W. David Jr., an African-American WW II hero.
Charles Walter David Jr., enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1941, assigned to the Cutter Comanche.
On Feb. 3, 1943, David Jr. jumped into freezing cold water aiding in the saving of 230 men who has been on the U.S. Army transport USAT Dorchester, when it was torpedoed.
Unfortunately three days after the rescue David died due to pneumonia and was succeeded by his wife, Kathleen David and son, Neil David. Later on he was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions, which was accepted by his wife and son.
The Coastguard Compass: Official Blog of the U.S. Coast Guard has information detailing David’s heroic actions, along with pictures of David and his wife and son receiving the medal in his honor.
The ceremony for the vessel will be open to the public; will take place on Saturday at 5:30 pm at the Coast Guard Sector Key West, 100 Trumbo Rd.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Photo courtesty of Wikimedia Commons.
