Heroes of the Coast Guard series by James Burd Brewster
Heroes of the Coast Guard retells the stories of Coast Guard men and women who risked their lives to save the lives of others. On-duty, off-duty, in war, or in peace these heroes ignored their own danger in order to save those in danger. We call these books "goods stories for boys and girls" because the accounts are true and the stories emphasize service to others, devotion to duty, and courage in the face of danger. Every story ends with the Coast Guard motto, "Semper Paratus" as a reminder to young men and women to be "always ready" to help those in need.
CDR Frank A. Erickson - Helicopter Pilot #1 On Jan 4, 1944, Coast Guard helicopter pilot #1, Frank A Erickson, set two new aviation records when he flew blood plasma from New York City to Sandy Hook, NJ. On that day, Lieutenant Commander Erickson flew the mission in weather that had grounded all other available aircraft and logged the first use of a helicopter for a ‘life flight” as the blood plasma was used to save the lives of several sailors. Erickson’s first helicopter flight “into the storm,” made good on a commitment he had made 3 years earlier as he watched sailors abandon ship and struggle and die in the burning, oil covered waters of Pearl Harbor; a commitment to find a way to lift sailors in danger off their ships.
Helicopter Pilot No. 1
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