By Karen Robes Meeks
After almost five decades of service, The Coast Guard Cutter Sherman has been decommissioned at Coast Guard Base Honolulu.
Sherman, one of several cutters being replaced by the National Security Cutters, was involved in numerous efforts, including the largest individual cocaine seizure in US history, as well as maritime law enforcement cases and rescues.
Launched on Sept. 3, 1968, Sherman is one of only two Coast Guard Cutters to earn the Vietnam Service Award and the only such vessel to receive the Combat Action Ribbon for action in the Vietnam War. It’s also the last active US Coast Guard warship to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat.
“The crewmembers who’ve served aboard Sherman have contributed immensely to protecting the American public across Sherman’s nearly 50 years of meritorious service while changing the course of history through the cutter’s combat action in Vietnam and a record-setting drug seizure,” said Vice Adm. Fred Midgette, who leads the service’s Pacific fleet as the commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda, California. “The Coast Guard remains committed to protecting the American public, our security and our economic interests wherever we are called upon to serve. Recapitalizing our vessels, aircraft, boats, and infrastructure is mission critical and our highest priority to ensure we remain ‘always ready’ to continue protecting our nation.”
