05/25/2026
Today, we honor the life and legacy of 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗟. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗝𝗿. (𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟮–𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟬), beloved father of our colleague Kim Barrett and a true American hero.
Serving more than 20 years in the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱, Wilson embodied courage in its purest form. In November 1979, he volunteered to brave the elements to help rescue 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟴𝟭 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 of the grounded Japanese vessel Ryuyo Maru No. 2. The vessel grounded on Tolstoi Point, St. Paul Island, Alaska. Upon notification of the grounding, Chief Petty Officer Wilson, a member of the crew of Coast Guard Loran Station St. Paul, volunteered to accompany the acting commanding officer and another crewman in the rescue attempt. The three men proceeded to a cliff approximately 150-feet above the vessel. Despite the conditions of winds in excess of 40-knots, harsh breakers produced by 20-foot seas, darkness, and the presence of nauseating diesel fuel fumes and salt spray, the three men began to seek a useable path of escape for the crew of RYUYO MARU No. 2. In this endeavor, the three men climbed down to the rocky beach, and with Chief Petty Officer Wilson leading the way, carefully made their way through the slippery rocks and breaking seas almost a mile down the beach to the stricken vessel. Upon arrival the men secured 3 lines from the vessel to huge boulders and began rescue operations by means of boatswain’s chairs. Several hours later, all 81 members of the crew were safely on the beach. The survivors were then taken in groups back along the beach and up onto the cliff. Wilson was the last man to leave as he followed along to ensure that there were no stragglers. His unselfish actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard and for his actions, he received the 𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗚 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 – 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗺. His legacy continues: the Coast Guard has authenticated the keel for the future cutter “𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻,” with his wife Barbara honored as the ship’s sponsor.
And in true Samuel Wilson fashion, he found joy in giving—often donating blood dressed as 𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗺, promoting organ and blood donation with humor and heart.
Today, we remember him and all our military service members, with gratitude, pride, and deep respect. Their bravery reminds us what service truly means.
https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4429056/us-coast-guard-authenticates-keels-for-first-three-waterways-commerce-cutters/
