Llewellyn “Lew” Midgett was among the first young men to finish boot camp when the Coast Guard Training Center was established in Cape May in 1947. The Midgett name derives from the family whose service with what became the Coast Guard started as early as 1874. It's a phrase often associated with the armed forces of the United States," said Adm. Charles Michel, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and the event's keynote speaker. Retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Llewellyn “Lew” Midgett presents his officer’s sword to Rear Adm. Scott McKinley after a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., May 19, 2017. In fact, the ship also honors other members of the Midgett family; seven of whom have been awarded the nations highest award for saving a life – the Gold Lifesaving Medal – and more than 150 living members of the Midgett family have made the Coast Guard a career, 30 of whom are still on active duty today. Clearly emotional, she paused several times during her remarks to gather herself. At least ten members of the family earned high honors for their heroic life-saving efforts. No current records of how many are serving today but at least one is the Pacific Area commander, Vice Adm. Fred Midgette. The last keeper, Capt. "I am overjoyed to be standing here today," she said. Seven members of the Midget… The Chicamocomico Station, in service for 78 years, had only three keepers…and all three were Midgetts. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) crew members seized more than 2,100 pounds of cocaine July 26, 2019, from a low-profile go-fast vessel interdicted in … Ship sponsor Jazania H. O'Neal smashes a bottle of sparkling wine to christen the U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) during ceremonies at Ingalls Shipbuilding Saturday morning. Midgett is named in honor of 10 members of the Midgett family who earned seven gold and three silver Lifesaving Medals for their heroic deeds and decades of service. Luey Angel Midgett 25 Oct 1879 Hatteras, Dare, North Carolina, United States - 04 May 1937 managed by Ray Midgett last edited 15 Dec 2019 John E. Midgett 1910s - 1980s Ray L. Midgett 15 The average age of a Midgett family member is 70.7 years old according to our database of 1,191 people with the last name Midgett that have a birth and death date listed. The United States Coast Guard news release stated that it boarded a vessel in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean it had intercepted that was suspected of carrying … There in the Outer Banks, the name “Midgett” is as common as “Smith” is in the rest of the country. She noted her grandfather was commonly referred to as "Captain Johnny" and called him an "honorable" man. "Without hesitation, despite high winds, heavy seas and rain so hard you couldn't see, with no more protection than cork life vests, the crew -- the majority of which were Midgetts -- responded," Michel said. The cutter’s name honors the Midgett family and their history of distinguished service in the Coast Guard that continues to this day. "May she always be the defender of what is good and selfless and bring rescue to those in distress.". With her crew of 24 officers and 160 enlisted men and women, she is homeported in Seattle, Washington under the operational and administrative control of Commander, Pacific Area (COMPACAREA). "Midgett is the eighth ship we have built in this class," Cuccias said. At least 10 members of the Midgett family earned high honors from the U.S. Coast Guard for their heroic lifesaving deeds. Midgett’s family surprised him with the ceremony expecting only to go on a tour of the Pentagon. Many traditions in the U.S. Lifesaving Service and the U.S. Lighthouse Service were introduced on Hatteras Island on the coast of North Carolina. "It is fitting this Coast Guard vessel will be forever tied to the legacy of my grandfather," O'Neal said, "who led enlisted neighbors on the ribbon of sand known as the Outer Banks to valiantly dedicated their lives to save others. Records indicate the first Midgett to serve was L. Bannister Midgett, who was appointed as a keeper to an Outer Banks lifesaving station in 1874. The John Midgett is the 12th and last high-endurance cutter to be built. Michel recalled the beginnings of the Midgett family legacy in the Coast Guard. Leland Reese Midgett, 88, of the 200 block of Jacocks Lane, Hertford, NC died Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at his residence. U.S. Coast Guard… Midgett is named to honor all members of the Midgett family who served in the Coast Guard and its predecessor services. The christening ceremony follows the cutter’s launch at […] After the recitation of his family’s legacy, Lew thanked all who helped to surprise him and honor him with this event. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Honings. He was born January 23, 1932 in Dare County, NC to the late William Alston Midgett and Sarah Louise Midgett and was the husband of Alpean Hooper Midgett … More than 200 members of the Midgett family have served in the Coast Guard. Posted on June 24, 2020. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Honings. The Coast Guard Cutter Midgett was the twelfth and final ship filled for the 370 - eight Hamilton Classic cutters John Midget was a Multi-Mission platform dedicated to search and rescue law enforcement environmental protection and National defense and for the past 48 years the racing stripe on Coast Guard Cutter on Midgets Hall was a symbol around the world of the rule of law. U.S. Coast Guard. Midgett was a senior enlisted member of the U.S. Lifesaving Service when it merged with the U.S. Lighthouse Service and U.S. Revenue Cutter Service to become today’s U.S. Coast Guard. Attending Saturday's christening were 70 descendants of John Allen Midgett Jr., including U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander, Vice Admiral Fred Midgett. This seizure would be the second one within five days. Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened the U.S. Coast Guard’s newest Legend-class National Security Cutter, USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757), on Dec 9. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). In thanks to Lew and the Midgett family, the Retiree Services Program director and the Coast Guard chief historian provided historical highlights of the accomplishments of both Lew and his family. 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