{"id":60975,"date":"2020-01-27T22:12:33","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T22:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/01\/27\/40-years-after-a-heroic-coast-guardsman-died-in-a-collision-his-statue-joins-underwater-veterans-memorial\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:35:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T11:35:13","slug":"40-years-after-a-heroic-coast-guardsman-died-in-a-collision-his-statue-joins-underwater-veterans-memorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/veterans\/2020\/01\/27\/40-years-after-a-heroic-coast-guardsman-died-in-a-collision-his-statue-joins-underwater-veterans-memorial\/","title":{"rendered":"40 years after a heroic Coast Guardsman died in a collision, his statue joins underwater veterans memorial"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The U.S. Coast Guard has unveiled a new statue at U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg to be included in the nation\u2019s first underwater veterans\u2019 memorial off the coast of Clearwater, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest addition honors Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores, who died on duty 40 years ago this week, when Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and tanker Capricorn collided near Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twenty-two others also died in the accident, which is described as \u201cthe worst peacetime disaster in Coast Guard history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur family is honored to see my brother become part of such an iconic memorial,\u201d said Sam Flores at the unveiling ceremony. \u201cIt was William\u2019s nature to help others. We are all very proud of him and grateful to know his story will continue to inspire others for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Sam Flores, brother of the late Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores, speaks at an unveiling ceremony for his brother’s statue at U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. (Courtesy of Preston Rudie)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During the 1980 collision, Flores selflessly stayed on board to help free survivors, going so far as using \u201chis own belt to strap open the lifejacket locker door, allowing additional lifejackets to float to the surface,\u201d according to a release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFlores sacrificed his own life to save others, demonstrating extraordinary courage, bias for action, and devotion to duty, especially noteworthy given his limited shipboard experience,\u201d said Sector Commander Captain Matthew Thompson. \u201cThere is no doubt that he belongs in the Circle of Heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twenty years after his death in 2000, Flores was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal<\/a>, which is awarded to service members who \u201cperformed a voluntary act of heroism in the face of great personal danger\u201d not in combat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the medal citation, \u201ceven after most of the crewmembers abandoned ship, Seaman Apprentice Flores, with complete disregard for his own safety, remained on the inverted hull to assist trapped shipmates and provide aid and comfort to injured and disoriented shipmates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flores\u2019 statue is the 13th addition to the Circle of Heroes at Veteran\u2019s Reef<\/a>, an underwater, diver-friendly veterans memorial that opened in August 2019. In the end, the 100-foot circle, which is located 10-miles into the Gulf of Mexico at a depth of 40-feet, will feature 24, six-foot-tall concrete statues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe memorial serves as a therapeutic dive site for disabled veterans suffering from PTSD, depression and trauma\u201d while providing \u201can artificial reef to help sustain marine life,\u201d according to the nonprofit Brighter Future Florida, which has been an advocate for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first dozen statues<\/a>, lowered into the water in July, feature generic service members, such as the Army Nurse, Navy Sailor, Air Force Pilot, and Marine in Dress Blues statues. The final dozen, of which the Flores statue is the first, will be custom-made.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cFlores sacrificed his own life to save others, demonstrating extraordinary courage, bias for action, and devotion to duty, especially noteworthy given his limited shipboard experience. 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