Military

Discover the true tale of one of the most heroic rescues in Coast Guard history.

On December 17, 2000 Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina performed one of the most heroic rescues in the history of the service. The cruise ship SeaBreeze I was listing, battered by hurricane force winds and 35 foot seas. The ship and the lives of its 34 crewmen were in imminent peril. A rescue helicopter arrived and, seeing that the vessel could capsize at any moment, hoisted 26 of the crew to safety, a record for a single helicopter rescue. A second helicopter, diverted on its way home from a celebration of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, arrived on scene in time to rescue the remaining crew.

Rear Admiral Carlton Moore tells the complete history of this daring rescue, including never-before-printed radio messages from the rescuers.

The fight against the Axis required sacrifice and dedication, and Nebraskans proudly answered the call with grit, determination and duty.

Three ordnance plants and two naval munitions depots brought employment and economic opportunities but also housing shortages and racial disturbances. The U.S. Army Air Corps established eleven air bases here, leading to community engagement through USOs and war bond drives. In central Nebraska, the North Platte Canteen welcomed thousands of service members en route to war on troop trains. Henry Doorly’s successful scrap campaign became a model for a nationwide operation. Local farmers fed the nation, K-9 war dogs trained at Fort Robinson and native sons Ben Kuroki and Andrew Higgins affected the war in very different ways.

Through detailed archival research, author Melissa Amateis tells the remarkable story of the Cornhusker State’s homefront.