Public Affairs Detachment New York
U.S. Coast Guard
News Release
Coast Guard honors WWII veteran for heroic actions
NEW YORK-Coast Guard Machinist Mate 3rd Class William J. Vogt, a World War II veteran, recieves the Coast Guard Commendation Medal from Capt. Gregory Hitchen, Deputy Commander, Sector New York, at Florahm Park, N.J., April, 8, 2010.
Vogt and his crew volunteered to board the S.S. Elstero in New York Harbor while it was ablaze April 24, 1943. The Elstero was carrying 1,300 tons of explosives , as were surrounding naval vessels. The actions of Vogt and his brave crewmembers not only saved New York Harbor but also ensured needed munitions were delivered to the European Theater.
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NEW YORK-Capt. Gregory Hitchen, Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Sector New York, reads a Coast Guard commendation medal citation to William Vogt, a Coast Guard World War II veteran, and his family in Florham Park, N.J., April 8, 2010. The commendation medal was presented to Vogt for his help in extinguishing a blaze aboard a munitions ship anchored in New York Harbor in 1943. The S.S. El Estero caught fire with 1,300 tons of explosives aboard. Around the El Estero were also train cars and other ships laden with explosives. Vogt and other Coast Guard crewmembers voluntarily boarded the vessel to fight the fire, already raging, aboard the ship. Not only did Vogt and his comrades save thousands of tons of explosives bound for the European Theater, they also saved an incalculable amount of property and potentially lower Manhattan. (Coast Guard Photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson)
NEW YORK-Capt. Gregory Hitchen, Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Sector New York, presents a Coast Guard commendation medal to William Vogt, a Coast Guard World War II veteran in Florham Park, N.J., April 8, 2009. The commendation medal was presented to Vogt for his help in extinguishing a blaze aboard a munitions ship anchored in New York Harbor in 1943. The S.S. El Estero caught fire with 1,300 tons of explosives aboard. Around the El Estero were also train cars and other ships laden with explosives. Vogt and other Coast Guard crewmembers voluntarily boarded the vessel to fight the fire, already raging, aboard the ship. Not only did Vogt and his comrades save thousands of tons of explosives bound for the European Theater, they also saved an incalculable amount of property and potentially lower Manhattan. (Coast Guard Photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson)
NEW YORK-William J. Vogt, a Coast Guard World War II veteran, rests with his Coast Guard Commendation Medal on his blanket and the hand of his wife, Mary Vogt, on his chest, Florham N.J., Apr 8, 2010. The commendation medal was presented to Vogt for his help in extinguishing a blaze aboard a munitions ship anchored in New York Harbor in 1943. The S.S. El Estero caught fire with 1,300 tons of explosives aboard. Around the El Estero were also train cars and other ships laden with explosives. Vogt and other Coast Guard crewmembers voluntarily boarded the vessel to fight the fire, already raging, aboard the ship. Not only did Vogt and his comrades save thousands of tons of explosives bound for the European Theater, they also saved an incalculable amount of property and potentially lower Manhattan. (Coast GuardPhoto/Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson)
NEW YORK-Bob Vogt (son) and Mary Vogt (wife) look at the Coast Guard commendation medal that was presented to William J. Vogt, a Coast Guard World War II veteran, Florham, N.J., April 8, 2010. The commendation medal was presented to Vogt for his help in extinguishing a blaze aboard a munitions ship anchored in New York Harbor in 1943. The S.S. El Estero caught fire with 1,300 tons of explosives aboard. Around the El Estero were also train cars and other ships laden with explosives. Vogt and other Coast Guard crewmembers voluntarily boarded the vessel to fight the fire, already raging, aboard the ship. Not only did Vogt and his comrades save thousands of tons of explosives bound for the European Theater, they also saved an incalculable amount of property and potentially lower Manhattan. (Coast Guard Photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson) |
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