USCGC MANITOU

• Commissioning: USCGC Manitou (WAVP-61/WHEC-61) was commissioned in 1945 as part of the United States Coast Guard fleet, originally built as a seaplane tender for the U.S. Navy during World War II. • Name Origin: The cutter was named after Lake Manitou in Michigan, following the Coast Guard tradition of naming ships after notable U.S. lakes and bays. • World War II Service: Although launched too late to see combat in World War II, Manitou was part of the Barnegat-class seaplane tenders repurposed for Coast Guard use after the war. • Weather Patrols: Throughout the late 1940s and 1950s, Manitou served as an ocean station vessel, providing vital weather data, search and rescue, and navigation assistance in the Atlantic Ocean. • Search and Rescue Missions: Manitou was involved in multiple high-profile search and rescue missions, including saving survivors from downed aircraft and distressed ships during severe storms. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Manitou was part of the naval quarantine, helping enforce the blockade and monitor shipping routes in the Caribbean Sea. • Vietnam War Service: In 1970-71, Manitou was deployed to the Vietnam War as part of Operation Market Time, conducting coastal patrols and interdiction missions to prevent the flow of supplies to enemy forces. • Humanitarian Aid: The cutter often provided humanitarian assistance, including medical aid and supplies, to ships and communities in need during its deployments. • Decommissioning: USCGC Manitou was decommissioned in 1973 after almost three decades of service, marking the end of her distinguished career in multiple theaters and roles. • Legacy: The ship’s legacy continues through the numerous Coast Guard members who served aboard, and her story is preserved in Coast Guard history as an example of adaptability and service across changing missions.