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Coast Guard to name its new ship after World War II veteran from Long Island

U.S. Coast Guard vessels in Key West, Fla. Most of their resources in Key West are devoted to interdicting Cuban migrants. Cubans are trying to reach the U.S. in larger numbers, concerned that preferential treatment will disappear as the two countries normalize relations.
Melissa Block
/
NPR
U.S. Coast Guard vessels in Key West, Florida.

The new US Coast Guard Cutter Clarence Sutphin, Jr. will be officially commissionedthis week at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in Manhattan.

Sutphin earned a Bronze Star for his heroism during the Battle of Saipan in 1944 according to the New York Navy League. He risked his life to save a group of Marines who were struck by a mortar, and helped salvage stranded boats that had come under enemy fire.

Sutphin grew up in Valley Stream and raised his family in Huntington. His children told Newsdaythat he never spoke much about the battle so they were surprised to learn about the Coast Guard’s plan to name the new ship after him.

Sutphin died in 1992.

Desiree reports on the lives of military service members, veterans, and their families for WSHU as part of the American Homefront project. Born and raised in Connecticut, she now calls Long Island home.