Cutter Sherman – Coast Guard File Photo
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard will hold a decommissioning ceremony Thursday, March 22, at Coast Guard Base Honolulu for the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman (WHEC 720), the Coast Guard’s ninth High Endurance Cutter. Vice Adm. Fred Midgette, commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, will preside over the ceremony.
Sherman’s operational resume includes action in the Vietnam War, major drug interdictions – including the largest individual cocaine seizure in U.S. history, maritime law enforcement cases, living marine resource protection, alien migration interdiction and numerous rescues.
Sherman was launched Sept. 3, 1968, and was the sixth of 12 Hamilton-class High Endurance Cutters built by Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans. High Endurance Cutters are the largest cutters, aside from the three major Icebreakers and National Security Cutters, ever built for the Coast Guard.
Sherman is also one of only two Coast Guard Cutters to hold the Vietnam Service Award and only Coast Guard Cutter to hold the Combat Action Ribbon for action in the Vietnam War. Sherman is the last remaining active U.S. warship in the Coast Guard or Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat.
