R 070009Z DEC 10

ALCOAST 578/10
COMDTNOTE 5060
SUBJ: REMEMBERING LOST SHIPMATES - PEARL HARBOR AND CGC WHITE ALDER
1. DECEMBER 7TH IS PEARL HARBOR DAY. THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, AND
RESULTING LOSS OF 2,402 SOULS, IS A DAY THAT SHALL FOREVER LIVE IN
INFAMY. ALMOST HALF OF THE CASUALTIES WERE AS A RESULT OF THE SINKING
OF THE USS ARIZONA - 1,177 MEMBERS OF HER CREW WERE NEVER RECOVERED.
2. THE COAST GUARD WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE NAVY ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE
THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR. WHILE THERE WAS A STRONG ISOLATIONIST
CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES, PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AND MILITARY
LEADERS WERE PREPARING FOR WAR. DUE TO THE TRANSFER, THERE WERE
SEVERAL COAST GUARD CUTTERS STATIONED AT PEARL HARBOR ON THE DAY OF
THE ATTACK, INCLUDING THE 327-FOOT CUTTER TANEY, AND TWO 125-FOOT
PATROL CRAFT TIGER AND RELIANCE. RESPONDING TO THE ATTACK, TANEY
OPENED FIRE ON JAPANESE AIRCRAFT OVER HONOLULU HARBOR AND TIGER
CONDUCTED ANTI-SUBMARINE SWEEPS OUTSIDE OF PEARL HARBOR.
3. ON THIS SAME DAY, SOME 27 YEARS LATER, IN 1968, OUR SERVICE
SUFFERED ANOTHER TRAGIC LOSS - THE CUTTER WHITE ALDER SUNK AFTER
COLLIDING WITH THE 455-FT FREIGHTER HELENA ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
OF THE 20 CREWMEMBERS ABOARD, 17 WERE LOST-14 WERE NEVER RECOVERED.
4. PEARL HARBOR DAY SERVES AS A STARK REMINDER OF THE CHALLENGES THE
MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED SERVICES FACE ON A DAILY BASIS, AS THEY
STAND IN HARMS WAY DEFENDING OUR LIBERTY. IT ALSO REMINDS US OF THE
CHALLENGES POSED BY EVEN ROUTINE MISSIONS.  WE MUST REMAIN
EVER-VIGILANT TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM AND OUR SHIPMATES.  I HOPE YOU
WILL RESPECT THESE LOST SHIPMATES, BY TAKING A MOMENT TO REMEMBER AND
REFLECT UPON THEIR SERVICE TO OUR NATION.
5. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.