Aug. 12, 2025 —
Coast Guard Cutter Earl Cunningham, the second of three fast response cutters to be homeported in Kodiak, Alaska, at its commissioning on Aug. 11, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
The Coast Guard commissioned Coast Guard Cutter Earl Cunningham on Aug. 11 in Kodiak, Alaska. Earl Cunningham is the 59th fast response cutter (FRC) and the second of three FRCs to be homeported at Coast Guard Base Kodiak.
Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, presided over the ceremony with the Cunningham family in attendance, including the cutter’s sponsor, Penney Helmer, who is Earl Cunningham’s granddaughter.
“Commissioning Coast Guard Cutter Earl Cunningham strengthens our ability to control, secure and defend Alaska's U.S. border and maritime approaches, protect resources vital to our economic prosperity, and respond to crises throughout the Aleutian Islands,” said Lunday. “This crew will honor the heroic legacy and selfless devotion to duty exemplified by Petty Officer Cunningham in the years ahead.”
Each FRC is named after an enlisted Coast Guard hero who performed extraordinary service in the line of duty. In this case, it is named for Earl Cunningham, who was stationed at Station Charlevoix, Michigan, when he voluntarily responded to an incident in February 1936. Five ice fishermen were spotted in distress from the watchtower on Lake Michigan. Though three fishermen were rescued, two remained trapped on the lake and Cunningham attempted to rescue them. He reached the men, but adverse weather conditions forced them to stay until a rescue team could arrive. As day turned into night, the boat drifted due to blizzard and strong wind conditions; rescue became impossible.
Cunningham expired from hypothermia; one of the fishermen died as well. The remaining fisherman managed to crawl nine miles to safety, ultimately losing his feet to gangrene. For this ultimate sacrifice, Cunningham was posthumously awarded the Gold Life Saving Medal.
The Sentinel-class FRCs replaced the 1980s Island-class 110-foot patrol boats, and possess 21st century command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, with improved habitability and seakeeping. A total of 67 FRCs have been ordered to date to perform a multitude of missions that include drug and alien interdictions, joint international operations and national defense of ports, waterways and coastal areas.
For more information: Fast Response Cutter Program page