USCGC MORGENTHAU  (WHEC-722)

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS AS IT APPEARED ON THE COMMISSIONING PROGRAM:

The MORGENTHAU is named for Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Secretary of Treasury from January 1934 until July 1945.  A close friend of Franklin Delano roosevelt, he performed the task of financing the New Deal domestic program and the nation's responsibilities in World War II.  During his tenure of office he was responsible for spending approximately $370,000,000,000,about three times as much as his 50 predecessors combined.

The new Cutter is the first Coast Guard unit to bear the name "MORGANTHAU", and is the eighth in the 378' Class.  The MORGENTHAU was launched on 23 December 1967 and was sponsored by Mrs. Joan Hirschhorn, Jr., daughter of the last Henry Morgenthau, Jr.

The MORGENTHAU is an extremely versatile cutter capable of performing with a high degree of efficiency, operational missions as a scientific, military and search and rescue vessel.  The vessel was built by Avondale Shipyards at a cost of approximately $16,000,000, with an additional $5,000,000 for outfitting costs.  She is outfitted with the latest equipment available, and designed for excellent maneuverability and habitability factors to reduce discomforts associated with long operations at sea.

REAR ADMIRAL ROSS P. BULLARD, USCG

A graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut in 1939, Rear Admiral Bullard served aboard CGC SPENCER during most of World War II.  After serving in the Demobilization Division of CG Headquarters in Washington, he commanded the CGC BALSAM and CGC KLAMATH and later CGC CASCO.  He has served as Commander, International Ice Patrol;  Caption of the Port, New York; Group Commander, New York; and Chief of Operations, 12th Coast Guard District.  On 1 July, 1967, with his appointment to the rank of Rear Admiral, he assumed command of the 8th Coast Guard District.

CAPTAIN JAMES H. MACDONALD, USCG

James Hector Macdonald was born on December 22, 1923, at Adams, Mass., and graduated from East Providence High School, Rhode Island, in 1942.

He entered the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., with an appointment as Cadet in July 1943, during World War II, and was graduated with a B.D. Degree and commissioned as Ensign on June 5, 1946.

His first assignment was as duty watch officer on board the 327-ft. Coast Guard Cutter BIB, based at Boston, Mass.  He received a Commendation Medal for braqvery while serving on the CGC BIB during the rescue of 69 survivors of the flying boat BERMUDA SKY QUEEN which was forced down in mid-Altantic on October 14, 1947.  On rhR OXXaion he was cited for safely trqansferring a rubber raft to the plane under hazardous conditions of darkness, gale winds, and very rough seas to insure the safty of the4 persons remaining in the stricken plane overnight.

He has served on subsequent duty at the CG Loran Transmitting Station at Amchitka, Alaska, the 180-ft buoy tender CACTUS, and in the Aids to Navigation Division at Coast Guard Heqadquarters, Washington, D.C.

He was Executive Officer of the ocean tug ACUSHNET following which he was commander of the buoy tender COWSLIP.  His next tour of duty was Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Base at Woods Hole, Mass.  He was in charge of the water side security of the President of the United States at Hyannisport, Mass.  In January 1964, he was a student at the Armed Forces Staff Collage.  Following graduation he was again assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters as Assistant Chief of the Shore Units Division.  In February 1967, he was assigned to the staff of the Supreme Assied Commander, Atlantic (NATO) where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his work in connection with Merchant Shipping Control.