USCGC Mendota (WHEC 69)

• High Endurance Cutter: USCGC Mendota (WHEC-69) was an Owasco-class high endurance cutter, designed for extended offshore patrols and a variety of missions including search and rescue, law enforcement, and defense operations. • Named After a Lake: The cutter was named after Lake Mendota in Wisconsin, following the tradition of the Owasco-class to be named after American lakes. • Commissioning: Mendota was commissioned on January 14, 1946, shortly after World War II, and was part of the modernization of the Coast Guard’s fleet post-war. • World War II Cancellation: Although laid down during World War II, construction was delayed and she was not completed until after the war ended, originally planned as a Navy patrol gunboat (PG-185). • Homeport and Operations: During her service, Mendota was homeported in Wilmington, North Carolina, and later Portsmouth, Virginia, participating in Atlantic and Caribbean operations. • Search and Rescue Missions: Mendota was involved in numerous dramatic search and rescue missions, including rescuing survivors from sinking vessels and assisting ships in distress during storms. • Cuban Refugee Operations: The cutter played a vital role during the Cuban refugee crisis, patrolling for and assisting Cuban migrants attempting the dangerous sea journey to the United States. • Vietnam War Service: Mendota deployed to Vietnam as part of Operation Market Time, patrolling the South China Sea to interdict arms smuggling along the coast of Vietnam. • Upgrades and Modernization: The ship underwent significant upgrades during her career, including the installation of advanced radar, communications gear, and modernized weaponry. • Decommissioning and Fate: USCGC Mendota was decommissioned on July 1, 1971, after 25 years of service, and was subsequently scrapped, ending her chapter in Coast Guard history.