Minnetonka (WHEC - 67)

• Name and Class: USCGC Minnetonka (WHEC-67) was an Owasco-class high endurance cutter, named after Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota. • Commissioning Date: Minnetonka was commissioned into the United States Coast Guard on July 11, 1946, following World War II. • Service Role: The cutter was designed for long-range ocean patrols, law enforcement, and search and rescue missions, reflecting the Coast Guard’s expanded postwar roles. • Vietnam War Service: Minnetonka served in the Vietnam War as part of Operation Market Time, conducting patrols to interdict North Vietnamese vessels and supply routes. • Rescue Operations: The ship was involved in numerous high-profile rescues, including saving the crew of the burning Japanese freighter Akebono Maru in 1966. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Minnetonka was mobilized as part of the naval quarantine, helping to enforce the blockade. • Homeports: Throughout its career, Minnetonka was homeported in locations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Long Beach, California. • Notable Awards: The cutter and its crew earned several commendations, including the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Service Medal. • Decommissioning: After more than 26 years of service, Minnetonka was decommissioned on May 31, 1974, marking the end of an era for the Owasco-class cutters. • Fate: After decommissioning, Minnetonka was sold for scrap, but her legacy lives on in Coast Guard history and among veteran organizations.