ALCOAST 057/09
COMDTNOTE 5360
SUBJ: DEATH OF AN HONORED CG VETERAN
1.  IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT I ANNOUNCE THE PASSING
OF BERNARD C. WEBBER, A COAST GUARD VETERAN WHO LED ONE OF THE TOP
TEN COAST GUARD RESCUES AND EARNED THE GOLD LIFESAVING MEDAL FOR
HIS HEROIC EFFORTS.
2.  BORN MAY 9TH, 1928, BERNARD WEBBER WAS SWORN INTO THE COAST
GUARD IN 1946.  AS A BOATSWAINS MATE FIRST CLASS AND COXSWAIN, HE
WAS ASSIGNED TO COAST GUARD STATION CHATHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.
3.  ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 18, 1952, THE SS PENDLETON, A 503 FOOT
TANKER, BROKE IN TWO WITH 33 MEN ON BOARD OFF OF CAPE COD.  THEN
BM1 WEBBER WAS THE COXSWAIN OF CG36500 AND WAS CALLED UPON TO
RESCUE THE SURVIVORS IN 60 FOOT SEAS AND 70 KNOT WINDS. WHILE
ENROUTE TO THE SS PENDLETON, THE HEAVY WEATHER SHATTERED THE
WINDSHIELD AND COMPASS OF CG36500. BM1 WEBBER COURAGEOUSLY
POSITIONED CG36500 BENEATH THE STERN OF SS PENDLETON AS IT TOSSED
IN THE HEAVY SEAS. BM1 WEBBER TIMED THE RISE AND FALL OF THE WAVES
AND ONE BY ONE RESCUED THE MEN AS THEY CLIMBED DOWN A JACOBS LADDER
AND JUMPED INTO THE WATER.  ALL BUT ONE ABOARD SS PENDLETON WERE
SAVED IN THE RESCUE EFFORT.  WITH NO RADAR OR COMPASS TO GUIDE THEM
HOME,  BM1 WEBBER RELIED ON EXPERT SEAMANSHIP AND INSTINCT TO
NAVIGATE CG36500 SAFELY BACK TO ITS MOORING WITH THE 32 SURVIVORS
HUDDLED ON BOARD.
4.  BERNARD WEBBERS BRAVERY AND SEAMANSHIP ARE AN INSPIRATION FOR
ALL GUARDIANS.  HE REMAINS A COAST GUARD HERO AND WILL FOREVER BE
AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COAST GUARD HERITAGE.  HIS PASSING IS A
GREAT LOSS FOR ALL OF US AND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO
HIS FAMILY.
5.  SERVICES ARE ANTICIPATED AT CAPE COD, MA, AT A TIME AND DATE
TIME TO BE DETERMINED IN THE SPRING.
6. INTERESTED READER CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT BERNARD WEBBER AND THIS
HISTORIC RESCUE IN TWO BOOKS, BOTH ON THE COMMANDANTS READING LIST:
"THE PENDLETON DISASTER OFF CAPE COD," (2ND EDITION) BY THERESA
BARBO AND "TWO TANKERS DOWN," BY ROBERT FRUMP.  ADDITIONAL MEMORIES
AND REFLECTIONS ABOUT BERNARD WEBBER ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN A RECENT
POSTING ON THE COMMANDANTS BLOG AT WWW.USCG.MIL/COMDT/BLOG.
7. VADM VIVIEN S. CREA, VICE COMMANDANT, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.