As the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau (WHEC 722) nears its final days of service, we reflect on the lasting effect it has had on the Coast Guard and the history it leaves behind.
‘Morg City’ as it’s affectionately known, is a white-hulled 378-foot long, 43-foot wide ship, housing 160 crewmembers that diligently carried out the business of the day. Piece by piece plaques, photos and other mementos representing 48 years of service are slowly being dismantled, but its legacy is intact. The crews saw action in the Vietnam War, experienced numerous major drug interdictions and law enforcement cases and served as the platform for a variety of noteworthy rescues.
“The history of Morgenthau’s operations showcases the Coast Guard’s ability to carry out a diverse and important range of missions vital to the security and prosperity of our nation,” said Vice Adm. Fred Midgette, who leads the service’s Pacific fleet as the commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda, California. “The significant legacy left in the wake of Morgenthau is evidenced not only by cutter’s history, but also by the numerous former crewmembers. At the end of the day, this was simply a ship used by dedicated men and women to protect America, its people and their interests around the world. This cutter may leave our service, but the legacy of the men and women who served on Morgenthau will live on forever.”
Click on “Show Info” in the gallery below to read each crew member’s tribute.
Seaman Conte maintains a lookout aboard the Pride of the Pacific…USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) in January 2017 during an Alaska patrol. After 48 years of service, today they returned to Honolulu from their final patrol. Morgenthau was commissioned in 1969 and will be decommissioned in April. “It’s amazing to think of how many shipmates have stood up here as a lookout over the past nearly 50 years ensuring the safety of the ship through snow, wind and heat. It is a great privilege to be one of the last.” – SN Conte (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Brandon Newman/Released, Historical image circa 1970)
Seaman Lamb maintains the helm of USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) on a final patrol in the harsh wintery Bering Sea January 2017. This was the last time that sight was seen from these windows before the cutter’s decommissioning in April. “I am honored to be part of the last of many crews of the Morgenthau and to have had a great experience as my first unit. The decommissioning is a thing most people never experience. I had a great time serving aboard this ship.” — SN Lamb (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Brandon Newman/Released, Historical image circa 1970)
Petty Officer 3rd Class Tunker takes care of administration aboard USCGC Morgenthau’s (WHEC 722) during a Bering Sea Patrol in January 2017. The ship was the first in the service’s inventory to have women permanently stationed aboard. A tradition that still holds true and has been expanded throughout our fleet. “To be a part of the last crew of the Morgenthau is pretty special. The people are what ultimately make the experience. When I reported aboard I didn’t feel like this was going to be anything different from any of my other duty stations. I was wrong. These people started out as co-workers ended up being family, including extended family. Getting to read letters from the first crew really hammers home that we are all part of the same family. Being a part of the last crew for me is bittersweet because I’ll never get to come back to her later in my career, but I will be a part of her history.” — YN2 Tunker (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Brandon Newman/Released, Historical image circa 1970)
Ensign Barry mans the bridge wing during a final Bering Sea Patrol aboard USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) in January 2017. After 48 years of service, the cutter was decommissioned in April. “I feel honored to walk through the inside and outside decks of the MORG knowing the rich history that she’s been through, from her time at Governor’s Island 40+ years ago to now having been in the Bering Sea, and coming home to Hawaii. The MORG is my first unit that I’ve been stationed at and it’s ironic that I am part of her last crew. I have had some of the most unique and life changing experiences on this boat and met some amazing people along the way. It’s been a great a ride, and I’ll never forget it.” — ENS Barry (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Brandon Newman/Released, Historical image circa 1970)
The Pride of the Pacific USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) saw many crews in its 48 year service and ended it with a Bering Sea Patrol in January 2017. Morgenthau was built in Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans, commissioned in 1969. It’s crews have sailed the world aboard its decks and while it’s time in our fleet is nearing its end we have confidence it will go on to serve others. (U.S. Coast Guard selfie by Capt. St. Pierre, Historical image circa 1970, U.S. Coast Guard banner photo by Seaman Lilburn/Released)
Petty Officer 3rd Class Clark prepares a meal aboard USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) during a Bering Sea Patrol in January 2017. This was the final patrol of the cutter before decommissioning. “I feel honored to be a part of the legacy of the Morgenthau. This ship has taught me and given so much, from the experiences of cooking underway to the life-long friendships I have made, thank you. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned from here to my next duty station.” — CS3 Kasey Clark (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Brandon Newman/Released, Historical image circa 1970)
Ensign Orgill mans engineering aboard the USCGC Morgenthau (USCGC 722) during a fianl Bering Sea Patrol in January 2017. After more than four decades Morgenthau was decommissioned in April. “It has been an amazing experience. The beginning of my career is the end of the Morgenthau’s. As a student engineer I’m particularly happy I got this experience. New ship’s are vastly more automated than a ‘378. There is no mouse click that will turn a valve here, but that’s good. It has forced me to learn hands on, get in the bilges and turn wrenches. WMSLs and OPCs are our future, but I’m certainly glad I got started here.” — Ensign Matt Orgill (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Brandon Newman/Released, Historical image circa 1970)
The Morgenthau was the eighth of 12 378-foot dual-powered, turbine/diesel Hamilton-class high endurance cutters built by Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans. Commissioned March 10, 1969, Morgenthau’s first homeport was Governor’s Island, New York. The power plant on the Hamilton-class cutters was something new to the fleet, possessing twin turbine engines capable of propelling the cutter to new speeds in 60 seconds. Due to the Cold War, Hamilton-class cutters were configured for anti-submarine warfare with the ability to find, track and damage or destroy enemy submarines. They were also equipped with a flight deck and retractable hangar. The addition of a variable-pitch propeller and bow thruster also made the ship very maneuverable.
Over its long, distinguished 48-year career Morgenthau’s crews received numerous awards, commendations and unit citations, including a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1971, a Combat Action Ribbon to the 1971 captain and crew, and multiple Battle “E” – or Battle Effectiveness Awards – for the crew’s demonstrated excellence and superior achievement during certification and qualification competitions. The crew was especially active in the Vietnam War, conducting underway replenishment, naval gunfire support, and patrol duties off the coast of Vietnam until Morgenthau was relieved by a 311-foot cutter in 1971.
In 1977, 12 women reported aboard Morgenthau becoming the first women permanently assigned afloat in the service. It began as an experiment, conducted at the request of then-Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams, but the action catalyzed change, serving as a platform for progress in which women were permitted to go to sea.
“When I first walked across the brow that very first day, I felt filled with possibility,” said Mary Cox, a retired Coast Guard officer and one of the first women stationed aboard the cutter. “I knew I would love being underway. I was nervous, of course, at all the unknowns, but excited.”
There was much speculation when the first women reported for duty aboard Morgenthau and its sister ship, the Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin (WHEC 721). Many surmised the ships would sink or turn into floating brothels, but those antiquated assumptions were silenced when Morgenthau’s crew continued to successfully carry out Coast Guard missions. Today, 14 women serve as part of Morgenthau’s final crew.
“There were a few ‘old guard’ personalities who did not approve of women in the Coast Guard at the time and made it especially challenging for the women at the forefront of change. These challenges proved to be nothing we couldn’t handle,” said Cox. “I realized we were the first group, but at the time, I didn’t really feel like a trailblazer. I just felt like a young woman who wanted to have the same opportunities and experiences as my male counterparts, and when I had the chance, I grabbed it!” Cox retired from the Coast Guard Reserve as a lieutenant commander in 2001 after 27 years active and reserve duty.
“When I received orders to Morg, I was nervous and also excited to see new things and take on new challenges,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Marylee Florscher, an operations specialist currently stationed aboard Morgenthau. “I never got the feeling that I was unwelcome and I never felt like I was treated any differently than the males. Everyone treats each other with respect. Everyone here works together very well and we have become a big family over time.”
In the fall of 1996, Morgenthau was the first Coast Guard cutter to deploy to the Arabian Gulf. Participating in Operation Vigilant Sentinel, Morgenthau enforced Iraq’s compliance with United Nations sanctions. Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Morgenthau participated in Operation Noble Eagle to safeguard America’s prominent port cities through closer scrutiny of maritime traffic.
In January 2013 Morgenthau sailed to its new homeport in Honolulu after a December 2012 hull swap with the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis (WHEC 725), which was decommissioned and transferred to excess defense articles for sale to a foreign navy.
When commissioned, Morgenthau had a shield-style crest with the motto “Efficiency and Honor is Our Destiny.” In 1977, when Morgenthau moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and homeported in Alameda, the crest changed to a circular style with the Latin motto Decus Pacifici translated the motto as “Pride of the Pacific”.
“Since my tour and the life of Morgenthau is coming to an end, I have to say that this has been the most challenging, and also the most rewarding, experience of my career,” said Florscher. “The 378-foot Hamilton-class cutter will soon be history and I am so proud to be part of the final crew of the Pride of the Pacific.”
