The Coast Guard commissioned the agency's newest cutter Earl Cunningham (WPC 1159) into active service during a ceremony held on Monday, Aug. 11, at Coast Guard Base Kodiak.
Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, presided over the event. Members of the Cunningham family, including the cutter’s sponsor and granddaughter of the vessel’s namesake, Penney Helmer, attended the ceremony.
The Earl Cunningham is the 59th fast response cutter (FRC) in the Coast Guard fleet and the second of three FRCs to be homeported in Kodiak. Built by Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La., the vessel will primarily operate in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and North Pacific Ocean. Missions will include search and rescue, fishery patrols, drug and migrant interdiction, national defense, and ports, waterways, and coastal security.
“Commissioning the USCGC Earl Cunningham strengthens our ability to control, secure, and defend Alaska's U.S. border and maritime approaches, protect resources vital to our economic prosperity, and respond to crises throughout the Aleutian Islands,” Lunday said. “This crew will honor the heroic legacy and selfless devotion to duty exemplified by Petty Officer Cunningham in the years ahead.”
A Coast Guard press release highlighted the cutter's namesake, Petty Officer 2nd Class Earl Cunningham, who enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1928 as a surfman. On Feb. 8, 1936, Cunningham volunteered to rescue two ice fishermen trapped in the waters of Lake Michigan. After pulling them aboard his skiff, severe weather prevented the group from reaching shore. Three days later, one fisherman reached land alive; the other perished in the attempt. Cunningham was found dead on Feb. 12, frozen in place at the oars of the skiff.
He was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal and was survived by his wife, Helen, and three sons. Before joining the Coast Guard, Cunningham served in the U.S. Army during World War I, leaving the service as a corporal.
The Coast Guard relase also said the agency is replacing its Island-class 110' patrol boats, built in the 1980s, with new FRCs.
