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Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Wargo

Coast Guard member William Flores honored at Benbrook, Texas

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland

April 16, 2025 | 1:56

Family members of Flores, members of the Coast Guard, and citizens of Benbrook gathered to remember and dedicate a statue to Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores on January 25, 2025 near Benbrook, Texas.

On January 28, 1980, Flores, only 19-years-old was newly reported to the Blackthorn when the 180-foot buoy tender capsized near the entrance to Tampa Bay, Florida. Flores and another crew member stayed aboard to throw life jackets to shipmates in the water. Flores used his own belt to strap open the lifejacket locker door, which allowed additional lifejackets to float to the surface, and ended with Flores sacrificing his own life to ensure the survival of his shipmates.