Coast Guard Cutter Taney Memorialized On Pearl Harbor Anniversary

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Coast Guard Cutter Taney is a floating museum today. Every December 7th it becomes Baltimore's touchstone to Pearl Harbor, and the Japanese attack 75 years ago: "A date that will live in infamy."

The Taney is the last ship in that attack that is still afloat. A few of her old crew who came aboard later in the war, remember a well-run ship:

"Oh, you bet it was. I enjoyed every minute of it," said Taney Crew Veteran, Carroll George.

Beverly Blessing still wears her late husband's dog tag. Her husband, George, decided to stay aboard during the battle of Okinawa, rather than go ashore for an emergency appendectomy.

"The kamikaze raid came over. George had to get off the table by himself and go to a secure place. Not knowing that decision would save his life. The hospital on land got a direct hit," said Beverly Kasper-Blessing. In the attack that began the war, there were a lot of direct hits:

"The 2,403 who gave their lives 75 years ago today at Pearl Harbor," said Major General John Broadmeadow.

It's the kind of shock that followed the attack would not be felt again until September 11.

"It's when we lost our innocence that day, by that surprise attack," said Veteran Willie Christein.

Those lost, remembered with full honors. The Coast Guard Cutter Taney, remained in service until its decommissioning on December 7, 1986.

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