Honoring a 9/11 Hero with a New Coast Guard Cutter

A hero remembered for his actions on 9/11 is embarking on a new legacy, as the U.S. Coast Guard names a ship after him and embeds a significant piece of steel from the World Trade Center into its structure.

The U.S. GC Vincent Dantz Cutter was officially named on Friday at the Intrepid Museum in New York City, gearing up for a mission focused on rescue in the Western Pacific.

“We’re very happy, extremely grateful, and proud that the Coast Guard dedicated this cutter to Vincent,” shared his widow, Angela Donahue, during the event.

“He will always be remembered by everyone who knew him. He was such an amazing individual, and for our family, this is truly an honor. He was irreplaceable, and we miss him every day… He won’t be forgotten. It’s just incredible,” she added.

This patrol vessel, featuring a single mast, will function as a rapid response cutter for the Coast Guard Division in Guam, as noted by military officials.

This vessel is one of 77 aircraft commissioned by the Coast Guard, each named after a distinguished non-commissioned officer who has excelled in their duties.

The cutter is tasked with conducting search and rescue missions, combating illegal activities, and ensuring maritime safety, all while continuing Dantz’s legacy following his untimely death.

Dantz, a veteran of the Marine Corps, was serving in the NYPD’s elite Emergency Services Unit during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He was believed to be on the North Tower when it fell.

In a poignant moment before his passing, he called Donahue to ask her to pray for those trapped in the burning building.

“I wasn’t shocked. That was just who he was,” she recalled. “I’ll always remember, ‘Hello, it’s 9:50. I’m at the World Trade Center. I’m on top of the building.’”

“Every word is etched in my memory. ‘Pray for me, but also pray for those people, that we can get some out of here.'” Those words have stuck with me,” she reflected.

Dantz was posthumously awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor, a testament to his bravery.

He started his journey in the Marines and joined the NYPD in 1987 while also serving in the Coast Guard Reserve as a Port Security Specialist 2nd Class.

As a carpenter, he would have appreciated the cutter’s craftsmanship, especially the incorporation of steel from the World Trade Center.

The salvaged steel is housed within a glass display in the cutter’s entrance, allowing everyone onboard the U.S. GC Vincent Dantz to witness a fragment of the city’s history.

“The Coast Guard was truly his passion, and I think he would feel incredibly humbled by this recognition,” said Detective Steven Stefanakos, a former colleague of Dantz’s in the precincts and at ESU.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who serves as a co-chaplain for the NYPD, blessed the new vessel in a moving ceremony.

This tribute comes during a joyful time for Dantz’s family, who recently welcomed their first grandchild.

Interestingly, just last week, the NYPD’s ESU named a lovely one-year-old K9 “Vin” in tribute to Dantz. The dog, part of a batch of about 20 graduates from a four-month training program, will be tasked with detecting explosives, cadavers, and scamming collars.