U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) honored the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ‘Tampa’ (US CGC Tampa) and her crew one hundred years to the day of the sinking of the Coast Guard Cutter, which was one of the worst losses of life at sea during war-time and hit the City of Tampa hard as many in the crew hailed from our great city:

“I welcomed a number of Tampa families to Washington for the U.S. Coast Guard ceremony honoring U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ‘Tampa’ and her crew.  The US CGC Tampa was sunk by a German submarine U-boat 100 years ago today during World War I off the coast of England.  One hundred and thirty-one men, including 24 from Tampa, lost their lives on that fateful day in one of the worst maritime losses of life during wartime.  The service and dedication of the Coast Guard was celebrated along with the sacrifice of the crew of the USS Tampa.  We remembered the brave men we lost and acknowledged the long-lasting bond between a ship in service to America and a grateful city.

“The story of Tampa is the story of the bravery of all who have served in the U.S. Coast Guard.  It is the story of a patriotic and thankful community; of the talented men and women who are ‘Always Ready’ to serve our great country and save lives as part of the greatest maritime service in the world; and of sacrifice of those who served and paid that ‘last full measure of devotion.’  Thanks to the great work of dedicated Tampanians like Nancy Turner, Robin Gonzalez and others, the story of USS Tampa and her crew will never be forgotten.”

The Coast Guard Memorial at Arlington Cemetery is dedicated to the US CGC Tampa.  Brookwood American Cemetery in Surrey, England, and remembers the Coast Guard Cutter and her crew.

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