NEW LONDON, Conn. – Retired Adm. Loy, a former commandant of the Coast Guard, will address officer candidates at the Coast Guard Academy Memorial Chapel to honor the 11 sailors who gave their lives on Oct. 20, 1978 when the Coast Guard Cutter Cuyahoga sank at the mouth of the Potomac River on Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. The service is open to the public and the media.
In 2005, Loy completed a 45-year career in public service, retiring as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Loy retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2002, having served as its Commandant since May 1998. Prior to his service as Commandant, Loy served as the Coast Guard Chief of Staff from 1996 to 1998. From 1994 to 1996, he was Commander of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area, supervising U.S. forces during the mass Haitian and Cuban migrations of 1994, and leading Coast Guard forces participating in Operation Restore Democracy. A career seagoing officer, Loy has served tours aboard six Coast Guard cutters, including command of a patrol boat in combat during the Vietnam War and command of major cutters in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Following the ceremony, Loy will be available to speak with guests. Loy will then be available for interviews with the media. An officer candidate instructor will also be available for interviews to explain the lessons learned and changes made to Coast Guard training and cutter operations following the Cuyahoga incident.
Interested media should contact the Academy Public Affairs office at 860-444-8270 or cga-public-affairs@uscga.edu. Others wishing to attend should contact Lt. Daniel Kubasch to confirm seating at 860-701-6403 or Daniel.J.Kubasch@uscg.mil.