ABOUT USCGC Chincoteague (WHEC 375)
- Namesake: USCGC Chincoteague (WHEC-375) was named after Chincoteague Island, Virginia, following the Coast Guard tradition of naming cutters after U.S. islands.
- Class and Type: She was an Owasco-class high endurance cutter, designed for extended patrols and multi-mission capability.
- World War II Service: Laid down during World War II, Chincoteague was launched on October 15, 1944, and commissioned in 1945, just as the war was ending.
- Postwar Missions: After the war, she served in a variety of roles including law enforcement, search and rescue, and weather patrols in the Atlantic.
- Ocean Station Duty: During the late 1940s and 1950s, Chincoteague served as an ocean station vessel, providing navigational aid, weather reporting, and emergency assistance in the North Atlantic.
- Vietnam War: Chincoteague was deployed to Vietnam in the late 1960s as part of Operation Market Time, supporting interdiction of enemy supply lines along the coast.
- Distinguished Crew: Her crews were recognized for valor and dedication, especially during tense Cold War and Vietnam War operations, earning multiple commendations.
- Rescue Operations: Chincoteague participated in numerous dramatic rescues, including high-profile saves of mariners and aviators in distress.
- Decommissioning: The cutter was decommissioned from active Coast Guard service on June 1, 1972, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.
- Legacy: After decommissioning, she was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Navy and later saw service with the Philippine Navy under the name RPS Andrés Bonifacio (PF-7), extending her legacy in maritime operations.