Cutter Tahoma’s CO found dead in cabin

[unhappycamper]

Cmdr. Keith Willis, commanding officer of the Coast Guard medium endurance cutter Tahoma, was found dead in his cabin Jan. 15. Willis on Jan. 22 off the coast of Maine during Tahoma's most recent patrol. Tahoma and her crew returned to Kittery, Maine, Jan. 28th.


Cutter Tahoma’s CO found dead in cabin
By Amy McCullough - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 16, 2009 16:54:28 EST

The commanding officer of the Coast Guard Famous-class cutter Tahoma was found dead at 10 a.m. Sunday in his cabin, according to a statement released Monday.

A 12-person honor guard made up of Tahoma shipmates carried Cmdr. Keith Willis’ body to shore Sunday around 7 p.m., according to the Coast Guard. Willis’ remains will be taken to the medical examiner’s office in Augusta, Maine. Cause of death is pending an autopsy, according to a Coast Guard statement.

Willis, 44, took command of the 270-foot medium endurance cutter in May 2007. The Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the death. The Tahoma was tied up at its homeport at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard just outside of Kittery, Maine, at the time of the incident.

“We don’t expect foul play, but we owe it to the family to investigate as much as we can,” Atlantic Area Spokesman Lt. Robert Wyman said.

Prior to assuming command of the Tahoma, Willis, a 1989 Coast Guard Academy graduate, served as the Coast Guard liaison officer to the Navy’s 2nd Fleet. He also has served as the assistant Coast Guard liaison officer at U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Joint Forces Command from August 2004 to August 2006.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/02/coastguard_CO_dead_021609/%2e

[izzie]

1. So much for the yearly check-up

he was so young to die.

[TahitiNut]

2. "... a 1989 Coast Guard Academy graduate" ... wow - does that make me feel OLD.

He wasn't even born when I went to the USCGA. Yikes.