Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay remembers fallen shipmates 20 years later

MCKINLEYVILLE, CA, UNITED STATES

07.17.2014

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart 

U.S. Coast Guard District 11

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. - Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay held a service Friday to honor the 20th anniversary of the sacrifice of four Coast Guardsmen who perished in the line of duty while attempting to save the lives of others.

Coast Guard 6541, a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, crashed in the early hours of July 12, 1994, near Shelter Cove, California, while responding to a sailing vessel in distress. When heavy pre-dawn fog made a visual approach impossible, the air crew performed several unsuccessful approaches to the sailing vessel, striking a shoreline cliff on the third attempt and taking the lives of all four crew members, Lt. Laurence Williams, Lt. Mark Koteek, Senior Chief Petty Officer Peter Leeman, and Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Gill.

“This aircrew was just like you and me; we are merely separated by time and circumstances," said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas "Tombo" Jones, chief of response for Sector Humboldt Bay. "The American people and the United States Coast Guard are forever indebted to these crew members and their families."

Williams, originally of Orlando, Florida, moved to Humboldt Bay in October of 1990 where he later met and married his wife, Wendy. A Coast Guard pilot for six years, he served with distinction as an aircraft commander, and was the unit training officer, public affairs officer and historian. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University.

Koteek, originally of Saugerties, New York, and his wife, Karen, came to Humboldt Bay in February of 1993. A Coast Guard pilot for three years, he served commendably as a copilot and as the exchange and food services officer. He was a U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate.

Leeman, originally of Oxford, Maine, his wife, Darlene, and his daughter, April, arrived in Humboldt Bay in August of 1991. Peter was a dedicated rescue swimmer and flight mechanic. He served as the chairman of the enlisted standardization board for aircrew training and was the aviation survivalman shop supervisor. He served 14 years in the aviation field, and was pursuing an associate’s degree at the College of the Redwoods.

Gill, originally of St. Petersburg, Fla., and his wife, Donna, reported to Humboldt Bay in May of 1990. In December of 1991, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Audrey. Mike was a conscientious aviation mechanic who served in the aviation community for 14 years. He was a quality assurance inspector and an aircrew standardization board member. He was pursuing his associate’s degree at the College of the Redwoods.

The ceremony included a bagpipe melody, helicopter flyover, and wreath-laying.

• Date Taken: 07.17.2014
• Date Posted: 07.17.2014 17:50
• Story ID: 136447
• Location: MCKINLEYVILLE, CA, US
• Hometown: ORLANDO, FL, US
• Hometown: OXFORD, ME, US
• Hometown: SAUGERTIES, NY, US
• Hometown: ST. PETERSBURG, FL, US