Bernard C. Webber
1928–2009 (age 81)
Coast Guard coxswain
Biography
Bernard C. Webber (1928-2009) was the Coast Guard coxswain whose leadership during the 1952 Pendleton rescue etched his name into maritime lore. Facing a nor'easter off Cape Cod, he guided a tiny motor lifeboat and an eleven-man crew through breaking seas, saving thirty-two sailors from the broken freighter while showing a steady calm that would inspire countless servicemembers.
He spent years sharing that story to encourage teamwork on the sea and was laid to rest at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, where friends and fellow rescuers continue to honor the quiet selflessness he displayed on that stormy night.