Hero Honored: New Coast Guard Cutter, named after WWII resistance fighter, joins fleet

Coast Guard Cutter commissions second Pacific Northwest-based Fast Response Cutter Coast Guard Cutter Florence Finch (WPC 1157) moves closer to the pier before mooring in its new homeport of Astoria, Ore., Aug. 17, 2024. The Florence Finch will primarily serve in the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Columbia River. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Will Kirk) (Petty Officer 3rd Class William /U.S. Coast Guard District 13)

Coast Guard Cutter commissions second Pacific Northwest-based Fast Response Cutter Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba presents the Congressional Gold Medal to Elizabeth “Betty” Murphy, the daughter of Florence Finch, during the commissioning ceremony for U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Florence Finch (WPC-1157) held at Coast Guard Base Seattle, Oct. 24, 2024. The Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC) is designed for multiple missions, including search and rescue; drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; and national defense. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Briana Carter) (Petty Officer 2nd Class Briana C/U.S. Coast Guard District 13)

Coast Guard Cutter commissions second Pacific Northwest-based Fast Response Cutter Lt. Connor Ives, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter Florence Finch (WPC 1157), Master Chief Kody Fraughton and Adm. Charles Fosse, 13th District Commander, present Betty Murphy with a plaque after her mother, Florence Finch, was made an honorary Chief Petty Officer during a commissioning ceremony in Seattle, Oct. 24, 2024. During the ceremony, Finch was also posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier) (Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven S/U.S. Coast Guard District 13)

Coast Guard Cutter commissions second Pacific Northwest-based Fast Response Cutter Crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Florence Finch (WPC 1157) stand at attention during the commissioning for the cutter held in Seattle, Oct. 24, 2024. The cutters namesake, Florence Ebersole Smith Finch, was a Filipino-American and a member of the World War II resistance against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier) (Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven S/U.S. Coast Guard District 13)

By KIRO 7 News Staff

SEATTLE — On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard held a commissioning ceremony to introduce the newest Fast Response Cutter.

Coast Guard Cutter Florence Finch (WPC-1157) is only the second of three planned Cutter’s coming to the Pacific Northwest. The third Cutter will join the Florence Finch in Astoria, Oregon.

The Florence Finch is named after Florence Ebersole Smith Finch, a Filipino-American and a member of the World War II resistance against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Finch was credited for sabotaging acts against the enemy and assisting resistance members with falsified documents. After being captured, Finch was tortured and imprisoned for years before American forces liberated the Philippines in 1945.

Florence Ebersole Smith Finch (US Coast Guard)

“Florence Finch is a true Coast Guard and Filipino hero, and we couldn’t be prouder to honor her legacy,” said Coast Guard Vice Admiral Andrew Tiongson, Pacific Area Commander. “The cutter is now the only currently active ship in the United States military named after a Filipino-American.”

With her family in attendance, Finch was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, which they accepted.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by the United States Congress.

The Florence Finch will be stationed in Astoria and support operations in the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Columbia River.

According to the US Coast Guard, “The Sentinel-class FRC is designed for multiple missions, including search and rescue; fishery patrols; drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; and national defense.”

Read more about Florence Finch on the Coast Guard website.