rescue of 32 crew members of the SS Pendleton, a 504 foot cargo ship, which ran aground and split in two off Chatham on Cape Cod. The 2014 Disney movie The Finest Hours documents the rescue by Boatswain’ s Mate Bernie Webber and his crew of three, all brave men who navigated the treacherous shoals off Chatham in gale force winds. All the crew of the 36500 motorized lif boat received the Coast Guard’ s highest lifesaving award, the Gold Life Saving Medal.
As guests enter the Museum they begin their journey through the Coast Guard’ s incredible history and learn how the Revenue Cu�er Service, the Life-Saving Service, the Lighthouse Service, the Bureau of
Navigation and the Steamboat Inspection Service all came together in 1915 to become what we know today as the United States Coast Guard.
The Museum’ s array of interesting artifacts and innovative exhibits will entertain and educate visitors on the heroic accomplishments and sacrifices of Coast Guard men and women. In addition, many artifacts and paintings that are part of the Museum’ s extensive collection are on display in CG Academy buildings and in the New London area CG buildings.
Over the years, Coast Guard Auxiliarists have served proudly as Museum docents. These volunteers have a vast knowledge of Coast Guard history and enjoy the opportunity to engage with visitors and parents of cadets. Museum staff members who deserve special recognition for their dedication to the Museum include recently retired Museum Curator, Jen Gaudio, who served for 14 years, as well as Auxiliarists Patrick Alarcon, Tom Ceniglio and Bob Carlson, who served as Museum docents.
James Brundage is the new Coast Guard Curator of the Museum at the CG Academy and looks forward to continuing the long tradition of excellence and innovation. For more information about being a Museum Docent or Museum’ s hours, please send me an email at bruce. f. buckley @ uscg. mil.
Photos National Coast Guard Museum
50 OVER THE BOW USCGAUX FIRST DISTRICT SOUTHERN REGION- WINTER 2023