IMAGERY RELEASE: Coast Guard presents Purple Heart medal in Newport, Rhode Island

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 12/11/2019 07:52 PM EST

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U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
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Coast Guard presents Purple Heart medal in Newport, Rhode Island

Rear Adm. Andy Tiongson and the family of Charles Parkin read the Purple Heart citation of Charles Parkin, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 at Coast Guard Station Castle Hill, Newport, Rhode Island. The Coast Guard posthumously presented the family of Charles Parkin the Purple Heart for his sacrifice on Sept. 26, 1918 while serving aboard the USS Tampa. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll) Coast Guard Sector Commander Capt. Chris Glander presents the American Flag to the family of Charles Parkin, Wednesday, Dec.11, 2019 at Coast Guard Station Castle Hill, Newport, Rhode Island. Charles Parkin served as a crewmember aboard Tampa, one of the six Coast Guard Cutters assigned to the Navy on convoy duty in European theater during World War I. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll)
Frances Sisson, Joan Toste, and Tom Worthington, the nieces and Great-nephew of Charles Parkin, stand for a photo Wednesday, Dec.11, 2019 at Coast Guard Station Castle Hill, Newport, Rhode Island. The Coast Guard posthumously presented the family of Charles Parkin the Purple Heart for his sacrifice on Sept. 26, 1918 while serving aboard the USS Tampa. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll) This is a photo of a 17-year-old Charles Parkin, his Purple Heart medal, and the American flag presented to his family, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 at Coast Guard Station Castle Hill, Newport, Rhode Island. Parkin was assigned to the USS Tampa during WWI. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high-resolution version.

BOSTON — The First Coast Guard District Commander, Rear Adm. Andy Tiongson, the crew of Station Castle Hill, and the Newport community honored Charles Parkin, Wednesday. Officials presented Parkin's nieces, Frances and Joan, and his Great-nephew, Tom, with the Purple Heart medal for making the ultimate sacrifice during WWI. Parkin was 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, and served as a crew member aboard the USS Tampa. One of the six Coast Guard Cutters assigned to the Navy, Tampa was on convoy duty in European theater when the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine and sunk with all hands aboard on Sept. 26, 1918, in Bristol Channel, England.

In 1999, Commandant Admiral James Loy authorized the posthumous awarding of the Purple Heart Medal to the crew of USS Tampa. The Coast Guard continues to identify families who have yet to receive their ancestors’ Purple Heart. Visit the Coast Guard Historian's Office for more information.

 

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