The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. At least 10 members of the Midgett family earned high honors from the U.S. Coast Guard for their heroic lifesaving deeds. The US Coast Guard commissioned the seventh and eighth national security cutters (NSCs), Kimball and Midgett, at their Honolulu homeport Aug. 24. USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726) is the twelfth and last of the United States Coast Guard's fleet of 378 ft (115 m) high endurance cutters.With her crew of twenty four officers and one hundred sixty enlisted men and women, she is homeported in Seattle, Washington under the operational and administrative control of Commander, Pacific Area (COMPACAREA). In a Coast Guard town like Cape May many tales are told about old salts and their adventures at sea. Midgett grew up on Cape Hatteras, on the outer banks of the North Carolina coast, and like his father and other family members, he enlisted in the Life–Saving Service in 1898. The US Coast Guard christened its eighth Legend-class National Security Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) during a ceremony in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on December 9. In August 1918, during the height of World War I, John Allen Midgett Jr. led his surfboat crew on a harrowing rescue of 42 men from a British tanker which had been torpedoed by a German U-boat off the North Carolina coast. Among them, Chief Warrant Officer Midgett had a profound influence on the Coast Guard's history and was an inspiration to the young boot and old salt alike. He was born January 23, 1932 in … But this story, about an extended Coast Guard family, is one for the history books. Midgett remained in command of a life–saving station when the United States Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life–Saving Service to form the Coast Guard in 1915. Coast Guard Retiree Services Program Manager. Midgett is named in honor of 10 members of the Midgett family who earned seven gold and three silver Lifesaving Medals for their heroic deeds and decades of service. The last keeper, Capt. USCGC John Midgett (WHEC-726), previously USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726), is the twelfth and latest of the United States Coast Guard's fleet of 378 ft (115 m) high endurance cutters.With her crew of 24 officers and 160 enlisted men and women, she is homeported in Seattle, Washington under the operational and administrative control of Commander, Pacific Area (COMPACAREA). Among them he said were winners of the Bronze Star, Silver Star and the Congressional Medal of Honor. In 1972 there were over 30 Midgetts serving in the Coast Guard. 70.7 years Oldest Midgetts. The Chicamocomico Station, in service for 78 years, had only three keepers…and all three were Midgetts. After the recitation of his family’s legacy, Lew thanked all who helped to surprise him and honor him with this event. She christened the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across its bow. These are the longest-lived members of the Midgett family on AncientFaces. The United States Coast Guard news release stated that it boarded a vessel in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean it had intercepted that was suspected of carrying … Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. The Midgetts have been in North Carolina since the late 18th century, settling on the Outer Banks where there is evidence members of the family participated in saving shipwrecked mariners and passengers before there was an organized life-saving service. Midgett was a senior enlisted member of the U.S. Lifesaving Service when it merged with the U.S. Lighthouse Service and U.S. Revenue Cutter Service to become today’s U.S. Coast Guard. Luey Angel Midgett 25 Oct 1879 Hatteras, Dare, North Carolina, United States - 04 May 1937 managed by Ray Midgett last edited 15 Dec 2019 John E. Midgett 1910s - 1980s Ray L. Midgett 15 The official blog of the U.S. Coast Guard, Posted by Diana Sherbs, Wednesday, June 7, 2017, Written by Mr. Bob Hinds, The average age of a Midgett family member is 70.7 years old according to our database of 1,191 people with the last name Midgett that have a birth and death date listed. Midgett joined the Coast Guard at 17 years old in 1948 and was the fifth company to complete “boot camp” at Training Center Cape May, N.J. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Honings. Many traditions in the U.S. Lifesaving Service and the U.S. Lighthouse Service were introduced on Hatteras Island on the coast of North Carolina. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. The Midgetts choose to save lives. The rare dual commissioning ceremony was presided over by Adm. Karl Schultz, the Coast Guard’s commandant. "God's grace and provision and overwhelming and I am truly grateful.". The John Midgett is the 12th and last high-endurance cutter to be built. "It is fitting this Coast Guard vessel will be forever tied to the legacy of my grandfather," O'Neal said, "who led enlisted neighbors on the ribbon of sand known as the Outer Banks to valiantly dedicated their lives to save others. The Midgett name derives from the family whose service with what became the Coast Guard started as early as 1874. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) crew members seized more than 2,100 pounds of cocaine July 26, 2019, from a low-profile go-fast vessel interdicted in … Jazania O'Neal, granddaughter of John Allen Michel Jr., was the ship's sponsor. At least 10 members of the Midgett family earned high honors from the U.S. Coast Guard for their heroic lifesaving deeds. Michel noted that at least 200 members of the Midgett family have served in the Coast Guard, seven of whom have earned the Coast Guard's highest honor, the Gold Lifesaving medal. Retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Llewellyn “Lew” Midgett stands with his family after a ceremony in his honor at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., May 19, 2017. Records indicate the first Midgett to serve was L. Bannister Midgett, who was appointed as a keeper to an Outer Banks lifesaving station in 1874. Also pictured (left to right) are Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias; United States Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Charles Michel; Matron of Honor Jonna Midgette and Midgett (WMSL 757) Prospective Commanding Officer Capt. One member of the Midgett family, Chief Warrant Officer John Allen Midgett Jr., led crewmembers of his lifeboat in heroically rescuing the entire 42-member crew from the British tanker Mirlo after it was torpedoed off the coast of North Carolina in 1918. You could either sit around and fish or you could go out and save lives. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- While the rest of the Mississippi coast dug itself out from the Great Coast Blizzard of 2017, Ingalls Shipbuilding marched on like a steamroller, celebrating its fifth ship christening of the year Saturday morning. Attending Saturday's christening were 70 descendants of John Allen Midgett Jr., including U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander, Vice Admiral Fred Midgett. Llewellyn “Lew” Midgett was among the first young men to finish boot camp when the Coast Guard Training Center was established in Cape May in 1947. The cutter’s name honors the Midgett family and their history of distinguished service in the Coast Guard that continues to this day. In August 1918, during the height of World War I, John Allen Midgett Jr. led his surfboat crew on a harrowing rescue of 42 men from a British tanker which had been torpedoed by a German U-boat off the North Carolina coast. As one family members stated: “They’ve got salt water in their veins! Ingalls president Brian Cuccias opened the ceremony with his customary welcome of members of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport. The crew of the Midgett stand along the rails during a commissioning ceremony Aug. 24. The Midgett family presented the sword to the Coast Guard Pentagon liaison in hopes of hanging the sword on the wall along with two of their family members already displayed.