USCGC Madrona (WLB-302)

USCGC Madrona (WLB-302) was a 180-foot Cactus-class seagoing buoy tender commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1943. Built during World War II, Madrona was primarily tasked with maintaining aids to navigation along the U.S. East Coast, but also conducted search and rescue, icebreaking, and law enforcement missions. Throughout her distinguished service, she played a vital role in supporting both military and civilian maritime operations, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic seaboard. Madrona was decommissioned in 2001 after nearly six decades of continuous service, marking the end of a significant chapter in Coast Guard history.