The Rescue of the Gale Runner, Death, Heroism and the U.S. Coast Guard

"The Rescue of the Gale Runner," by Dennis L. Noble is a great book about a tragic incident in the history of the Coast Guard. The author himself a long time Coast Guard retiree writes with an easy flowing style.

In 1997, he was at Quillayute Lifeboat Station doing research on a book about the history of lifeboat stations. While there he became a witness to one of the Coast Guard's most recent tragedies. a sail boat was crossing the bar nearby the station in Washington state. Suddenly, it was taking on water and called in a "MAYDAY" distress signal. two lifeboat crews and two helicopters sprang into action.

This book chronicles the story of that rescue. It is an amazing story that illustrates how these young coastguardsmen and women are so willing to put their lives on the line to save others. there is an unofficial motto in the Coast Guard that simply states "you have to go out, you don't have to come back." Often times it is spoken with much bravado but unfortuntely in this case it was all too true. Three CoastGuardsmen died that night crushed in a 44 foot motor lifeboat that was pounded mercilessly on the rocks. The rescue and its aftermath are closely examined by the author.

The book was a hefty $55.00 but believe me it is well worth it if you want to see what the Life boat sailors do for their country. I promise, you read this book, you will not soon forget it.

BillD.