OSWEGO – The H. Lee White Maritime Museum was recognized by the Oswego County Legislature during yesterday’s meeting, November 10; a proclamation read in observance of the 80th anniversary of the 1942 Oswego Coast Guard Rescue.
According to the proclamation read aloud by H. Lee White Maritime Museum Board of Trustee President William Schickling, on Dec. 4, 1942, a vicious Lake Ontario storm took the lives of six U.S. Coast Guardsmen as they steered a boat out into Oswego Harbor to relieve one of their men of duty at the West Pierhead LIghthouse, trapped because of the severe weather.
The severe weather and loss of their boat engine resulted in the death of six Coast Guardsmen in the stormed-tossed, frigid waters of Lake Ontario, with four Coast Guardsmen surviving the tragedy. The event is now known as the 1942 Oswego Coast Guard Rescue.
The names of the Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives that day are Karl Jackson, Irving Ginsburg, Alton Wilson, Eugene Sisson, Ralph Sprau and Leslie Holdsworth.
Schickling read aloud their resolution marking the recognition and significance of that fateful day during yesterday’s meeting:
“On Dec. 4, 1942, during a ferocious storm, Coast Guard crews mobilized to relieve their comrade Boatswain Mate First Class Petty Officer Karl Jackson who was keeping watch in the historic Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse and was running low on supplies. The crew was able to relieve Jackson of his post; however, the boat ultimately capsized in Oswego Harbor leading to the death of six U.S. Coast Guardsmen. This tragic loss of the U.S. Coast Guard is a reminder of how treacherous and unforgiving Lake Ontario can be. The rescue though, of four survivors is also a reminder of the courage and bravery of the U.S. Coast Guard,” Schickling read.
The U.S. Coast Guard will mark this year’s 80th Anniversary with a ceremony on Dec. 4 2022 in observance of the event. The commemoration will mark and honor the six Coast Guardsmen who bravely risked and lost their lives in the line of duty. The Dec. 4 ceremony will take place at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center.
Lee White Maritime Museum Executive Director Mercedes Niess recognized Coast Guardsmen Senior Chief Wilcox from Coast Guard Station Oswego who attended yesterday’s event.
“We’re honored to have him today,” Niess said. “Thank you for coming and thank you for what you do every day – protecting all of us.”
The Legislature gave a standing round of applause to Senior Chief Wilcox and members of the H. Lee White Maritime Museum and Board of Trustees for their work in honoring the1942 Oswego Coast Guard Rescue.
Other proclamations observed yesterday include the following:
- National Runaway Rescue Month
- Oswego County Senior of the Year – Ellie Filburn
Filburn received a standing ovation from the County Legislature after speaking about the benefit seniors have on local communities.
“You may not realize it, but for older citizens – I think it’s important they receive a little recognition once in a while,” Filburn said. “I think that sometimes we forget. I probably represent one of the three-hundred or more people that are doing volunteer work right now, and I thank you very, very much.”
Yesterday’s meeting moved forward without incident, all agenda resolutions passing. To view the full agenda, please click here.
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