USCGC ''Paul Clark'' (WPC-1106) is the sixth
cutter
Cutter may refer to:
Tools
* Bolt cutter
* Box cutter
* Cigar cutter
* Cookie cutter
* Cutter (hydraulic rescue tool)
* Glass cutter
* Meat cutter
* Milling cutter
* Paper cutter
* Pizza cutter
* Side cutter
People
* Cutter (surname)
* Cutt ...
. Like the previous five vessels of her class she is homeported in
Miami, Florida
Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...
.
[
] She was delivered to the Coast Guard, for testing, on May 18, 2013.
[
]
Operational history
On September 13, 2013 the vessel repatriated 66 Cuban migrants to
Bahia de Cabañas. Four migrant boats had been intercepted by small Coast Guard vessels in four separate operations over the preceding days. Their passengers and crew were transferred to the larger ''Paul Clark'' for repatriation to Cuba.
"Our main concern is the safety of life at sea...Attempting to cross the Florida Straits in a homemade raft or vessel is inherently dangerous" explained Coast Guard Captain Mark Fedor.
[
]
Namesake
The vessel is named after Paul Leaman Clark, who served as a fireman
A firefighter (or fire fighter or fireman) is a first responder trained in specific emergency response such as firefighting, primarily to control and extinguish fires and respond to emergencies such as hazardous material incidents, medical in ...
in the United States Coast Guard during World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
.
Clark was a landing boat engineer attached to during the allied assault on a beach in French Morocco
The French protectorate in Morocco, also known as French Morocco, was the period of French colonial rule in Morocco that lasted from 1912 to 1956. The protectorate was officially established 30 March 1912, when Sultan Abd al-Hafid signed the ...
when the craft's two other crew members were wounded by a Luftwaffe
The Luftwaffe () was the aerial warfare, aerial-warfare branch of the before and during World War II. German Empire, Germany's military air arms during World War I, the of the Imperial German Army, Imperial Army and the of the Imperial Ge ...
fighter. Clark took command of the craft, took the wounded crew members to for medical care and then returned to his duties as a beachmaster, directing disembarkation activity. For his courage he was awarded the Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the United States Naval Service's second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army ...
.[
]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paul Clark (WPC-1106)
Sentinel-class cutters
Ships of the United States Coast Guard
2012 ships
Ships built in Lockport, Louisiana