USCG WPB83387

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Branch

U.S. Coast Guard

Members

About USCG WPB83387

**USCGC WPB-83387** was an 83-foot patrol boat (cutter) of the United States Coast Guard, part of the famed 83-foot "Matchbox Fleet" built during World War II. Commissioned in the early 1940s, WPB-83387 served primarily in coastal patrol, search and rescue, and anti-submarine operations along the U.S. coastline. These vessels were notable for their involvement in the D-Day landings at Normandy, where they played a crucial role in rescuing downed airmen and wounded soldiers from the English Channel. After the war, many of the 83-footers, including WPB-83387, continued to serve in various peacetime missions before eventually being decommissioned.

Unit Members

TLJ

Thomas L. Jackson

U.S. Coast Guard

USCG WPB83387View Profile

Photos

USCG Station San Francisco, CA

USCG Station San Francisco, CA • U.S. Coast Guard • 1989

USCGC Point Brower Homeport San Diego CA

USCGC Point Brower (WPB-82372) • U.S. Coast Guard • 1986

USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719)

USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) • U.S. Coast Guard • 1982

USCGC Campbell (WHEC-32)

U.S. Coast Guard • 1975

About USCG WPB83387

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Name and Class: USCGC WPB-83387 was an 83-foot Patrol Boat (WPB) of the United States Coast Guard, belonging to the "83-footer" class built during World War II. • Construction: WPB-83387 was constructed by Wheeler Shipbuilding in Brooklyn, New York, and commissioned in 1944. • D-Day Involvement: The 83-footers, including WPB-83387, played a crucial role in the D-Day landings (Operation Neptune) on June 6, 1944, serving as rescue craft off the coast of Normandy. • Rescue Operations: During D-Day, the 83-footers, known as "Matchbox Fleet" due to their wooden construction, collectively rescued over 400 Allied personnel from the waters off Omaha and Utah Beaches. • Designation: The vessel's full hull number was CG-83387, following the Coast Guard’s numbering system for patrol boats of the era. • Postwar Service: Many 83-footers, including WPB-83387, remained in service after WWII, performing search and rescue, law enforcement, and port security missions. • Technical Specs: The 83-footers were powered by twin gasoline engines, could reach speeds of up to 20 knots, and had a crew of around 12. • Legacy: The class gained fame for their bravery and effectiveness, with several vessels (possibly including WPB-83387) earning the nickname "The Queen of the Normandy Coast." • Survivors: A handful of 83-footers survive today as museum ships, such as CG-83368 ("USCG-1" at the National D-Day Memorial), though WPB-83387's ultimate fate is unclear. • Historical Recognition: The contributions of 83-footers like WPB-83387 were formally recognized by both the U.S. Coast Guard and Allied commanders for their life-saving actions during pivotal battles.