Coast Guard Commissions Two Cutters in Honor of 9/11 Heroes
Coast Guard Cutter Vincent Danz was commissioned on May 22 in New York City and Coast Guard Cutter Jeffrey Palazzo followed on September 12, 2026, one day after the nation marked 25 years since the September 11th attacks. Both cutters will be homeported in Guam and join a growing Pacific fleet of fast response cutters and other Coast Guard assets that serve the missions of maritime security operations, search and rescue, countering illegal fishing, and strengthening partnerships with Pacific Island nations.
As is tradition, the Coast Guard Foundation presented a $5,000 morale gift to establish a morale fund for each crew, an act that honors both the cutters and the legacy of the heroes whose name they carry.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Vincent Danz was serving in the New York City Police Department, Emergency Services Unit (ESU) Truck 3 when he responded to the World Trade Center attacks. He was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed. He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department’s Medal of Honor for his heroic deeds. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and joined the New York City Police Department in 1987, while continuing to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves as a 2nd Class Port Security Specialist.
Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Thomas Allan, presided over the commissioning of the Cutter Vincent Danz.
“Vincent Danz’s legacy will live on, not only through his family and his brothers and sisters in the NYPD, but through the Coast Guard crew who will breathe life into this cutter today,” said Allan.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Palazzo joined the Coast Guard in 1988 and was stationed in Rockaway, New York. After eight years of active-duty service, Palazzo joined the New York City Fire Department while continuing to serve in the Coast Guard Reserves. In early 2001, he earned a position with Staten Island’s elite Rescue Company 5. On Sept. 11, 2001, Palazzo responded to the World Trade Center as part of the city’s emergency response. He and 10 fellow members of Rescue Company 5 made the ultimate sacrifice that day.
Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Lunday presided over the commissioning of the Cutter Jeffrey Palazzo.
“As the nation marks 25 years since Sept. 11, Jeffrey Palazzo’s legacy reminds us of what service and sacrifice mean,” Lunday said. “He answered the call for his city, his country, and his fellow Americans. As this cutter enters service, its crew will carry his legacy forward by standing the watch, saving lives, countering threats, and protecting American interests across the region."
In March 2025, Bollinger Shipyards hosted a 9/11 Steel Transfer Ceremony at its Lockport, Louisiana, facility, receiving two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center. Steel sourced from Ground Zero was treated and transported in the same manner as human remains, with four retired Coast Guard port security chiefs escorting the steel from New York to Louisiana. Bollinger incorporated the steel into memorial plaques for the two cutters. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cheyenne Basurto.
In the cover photo The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vincent Danz sails into the New York Harbor, May 20, 2026. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Kaczmarek.
The content for this news post was sourced from Coast Guard press releases about the commissioning of the Cutter Danz and Cutter Palazzo, and a Bollinger Shipyards press release.
