R 051825Z OCT 12

ALCOAST 443/12
COMDTNOTE 5441
SUBJ: FAREWELL TO USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725)
1. After 40 years of faithful service to our nation, Coast Guard
Cutter JARVIS has completed her last patrol and been retired from
active service. Throughout her long and proud service to this nation,
JARVIS has always lived up to her motto: Dedicated to Excellence.
2. CGC JARVIS was commissioned on 04 August 1972, the 182nd birthday
of the Coast Guard. She was named in honor of CAPT David H. Jarvis, a
Revenue Cutter Service officer who spent much of his career in the
Bering Sea off of Alaskas west coast. During the winters of 1897 and
1898 he planned and led the famous Overland Relief Expedition to
rescue 300 stranded whalers near Barrow, Alaska. During this daring
rescue, Jarvis, along with Ellsworth Bertholf and Dr. Samuel Call,
drove a herd of 400 reindeer from Cape Vancouver to Barrow to help
provision the stranded whalers. The final trek covered 1500 miles and
took almost four months. The rescue party walked most of the way and
endured temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees. This is still
considered one of the greatest Arctic rescues of all time and earned
Jarvis the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. In recognition of his
service, the Navy League presents the Captain David H. Jarvis Award
for Inspirational Leadership annually to a Coast Guard officer who
has made outstanding contributions to the high standards of
competence and leadership.
3. Even prior to commissioning, CGC JARVIS began her proud tradition
of assisting those in peril on the sea. In June of 1972, during her
pre-commissioning shakedown cruise, JARVIS received a call that the
Japanese fishing vessel KAIGATA MARU was engulfed in flames 500 miles
southwest of Honolulu. The JARVIS and her embarked helo raced at top
speed and located the only survivor, who had been adrift since
abandoning ship days earlier. With this very first life-saving
response, JARVIS was anointed to a life of service. She has proven
her mettle again and again, whether serving on Ocean Station,
protecting our shores from illicit narcotics, preserving our natural
resources, or being that last, best hope for mariners in distress.
CGC JARVIS leaves a long, proud legacy of honorable service to her
country.
4. To current and past CGC JARVIS crews, plank owners, shellbacks
(golden, emerald, horned, or otherwise), subjects of the Golden
Dragon, blue noses, and even pollywogs, well done. Throughout 40
years of service, JARVIS and her crews served the Coast Guard and the
nation. Congratulations and Bravo Zulu.
5. Stand a taut watch. Semper Paratus.
6. ADM Bob Papp, Commandant and Gold Ancient Mariner, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.