Bernard C. Webber

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Bernard C. Webber
Bernard C. Webber, USCG hero.
Bernard C. Webber, USCG hero.
Born 1928
Died 2009
Nationality United States
Occupation seaman
Known for leading a heroic rescue at sea

Bernard C. Webber was a member of the United States Coast Guard recognized for his heroism.[1] As part of Project Deepwater the Coast Guard introduced a new class of cutters -- the Sentinel class -- designed to patrol the USA's coasts on missions of up to five days. The vessels in the class are all going to be named after heroes of the Coast Guard, or its predecessor services.[2] Webber is the namesake of the first vessel in the class, the USCGC Bernard C. Webber (WPC 1001).

Coast Guard career

Webber joined the Coast Guard in 1946, after serving as a merchant seaman during World War 2.[1] He had a twenty year career in the Coast Guard. In addition to leading the rescue of crew members from the Pendleton Webber also served in the Coast Guard's contingent during the War in Vietnam.

Rescue of the crew of the Pendleton

On February 18, 1952, the freighter Pendleton broke apart during a storm off Massachusetts.[1] The stern section was beached and was being beaten apart by the storm. Webber, the coxswain of a 11 metre motor lifeboat, piloted the CG 36500 repeatedly into the surf, and saved 34 members of the Pendleton's crew. Webber and the three other members of his crew were all awarded the Coast Guard's Gold Lifesaving Medal for their efforts.

Namesake of the USCGC Bernard C. Webber

Bernard Webber's daughter, Pattie Hamilton, stamps the keel of the vessel named after him.

Members of Webber's family played a prominent role in several ceremonies during the construction, launch and commissioning of the USCGC Bernard C. Webber. The Bernard C. Webber was built by Bollinger Shipyards of Louisiana, and Governor Bobby Jindal also participated in ceremonies celebrating steps in her construction.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Bernard C. Webber, USCG: 1928-2009". United States Coast Guard. 2012-02-15. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uscg.mil%2Fhistory%2Fpeople%2FWebberBernard%2FWebberBernardCbio.asp&date=2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-10-23. "Webber and his crew of three, EN3 Andrew Fitzgerald; SN Richard Livesey; and SN Irving Maske, saved 32 of the 33 Pendleton's crewmen who were on the stern section of the ship. All four Coast Guardsmen were awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal for their heroic actions. Their successful rescue operation has been noted as one of the greatest in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard." 
  2. "Bollinger Built Fast Response Cutter Undergoes Sea Trials". Maritime Executive. 2011-12-06. http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/bollinger-built-fast-response-cutter-undergoes-sea-trials. Retrieved 2011-12-13. "The vessel, now known as BERNARD C. WEBBER, was launched on April 21 and first got underway on November 27th to begin builder’s trials. The builder’s trials will include pier side and underway machinery and equipment tests including propulsion, command control and navigation. After successful builder’s trials WEBBER will prepare for acceptance trails by the Coast Guard, prior to its January 2012 delivery."  mirror

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