Seaman Apprentice William "Billy" Flores
In 2000, Seaman Apprentice Willam "Billy" Flores, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal, the service's highest award for heroism in peacetime. SA Flores, who had been out of boot camp just one year, opened the life jacket locker as the Blackthorn capsized, securing its hatch open with his belt, and made sure that his shipmates were able to access and use the life jackets. His actions saved a number of lives during the accident. His heroic role was initially overlooked by the two official reports by the Coast Guard and the NTSB, but was later given the recognition he deserved. His family was presented with the Medal on January 28, 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. Seaman Apprentice Flores died aboard Blackthorn. In October 2010, it was announced that the third new "Sentinel" class fast response cutter, a 154 foot patrol boat, would be named for Flores.
Read more about this topic: USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391)
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