Original Picture

 

WW II CG83464 Model (Narrated by John Estep)

The “Ultimate Tribute” can be expressed in many ways. Mostly it is dedicated to an eternal visual, representing the life of some one, or some thing, to remind us, and those who come after us, of the remarkable events and actions of that recipient. One of the least recognized, yet one of the most significant, of the vessels that participated in actions during WW2, part of a Group called “THE MATCHBOX FLEET”, because of their nomenclature of being wooden boats powered by gasoline engines, and operated by a Service that had been doing things of a remarkable nature since 1790, the UNITED STATES COAST GUARD. These 83 Foot Patrol Boats, 60 of which served on D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944, have been all but forgotten, as those sailors, who were part of the crews, slowly cross the bar taking their memories with them. That is, until now. JACK READ, of Dubois, Pa., is one of those who participated in “OPERATION OVERLORD”, the invasion at Normandy, D-Day, June 6, 1944, on board CG-83464, otherwise designated “CG-43” of “Flotilla 1“ out of Poole, England. Jack was a “Motor Mach”, as they were called in those days, or MoMM as the Rating went, later to be designated “Engineman, EN” and today, MK, or Machinery Technician. Jack Then Jack Now These 83 footers were outfitted to be warships, with deck armament and anti-submarine depth charges. The more notable duties during D-Day, that these vessels accomplished, was Search & Rescue, and that they did, saving the lives of 1437 men and one woman during the few days of that invasion so long ago, just off a beach so far away. In spite of their configuration and their volatile explosive nature, there isn’t any record of any of them exploding from a direct hit from enemy fire. They suffered more damage from the weather, and being in such close proximity to the beach, than anything. CG-83464, or CG-43, served well after the war and was finally decommissioned in the early 1960’s. But Jack Read never forgot the “464” as he refers to her, and decided to do something about those memories from so long ago and so far away. . BILL WALDORF, a Master Model Craftsman from Jacksonville, Florida, well known in Modeling Circles, and builder of many Museum Quality ships and vessels, got together with Jack Read. Jack, now 88, was on a mission to preserve the CG-83464 in a 1/24 scale model form, that would depict as closely to reality as possible, his beloved “464” during his years aboard her. Jack found in Bill Waldorf a meticulous craftsman, devoted to detail, and, along with some photos of other 83’s of the era and Jack’s vivid memory, perfected an astonishing model of the “464” in all her battle dress and glory. One can only look at the “464” and the feeling of wanting to go aboard and check her out will overwhelm the onlooker. Although there are other models of the 83 footer, and an actual full sized operational 83 footer, this is the only wartime configured CG 83 footer in existence as either a Model or full sized Cutter. Pictures supplied by Bill and Jack, especially an original picture of an 83 footer in battle dress, compared to Jack’s Model of the CG-83646 (CG-43) is a phenomenal likeness. Accompanying this prolog is a series of photos of Jack’s Model as she was being built, including some originals of Jack, the “464” after the war, and his 83 footer during the war. The words “THANK YOU” hardly seems appropriate for Bill Waldorf and Jack Read for their efforts in a project that will no doubt stand as the “ULTIMATE TRIBUTE” for all time. SEMPER PARATUS, Jack & Bill.

Model Pics by Jack Read (Click Pic to Enlarge)