lonely shores, took their lives in their hands,
and at the most imminent risk,
crossed the most tumultuous sea…,
and all for what?
That others might live to see home and friends.
Three Coast Guard crewmen assigned to Station Quillayute River died while a fourth survived after their 44-foot motor life boat capsized in heavy seas near the Olympic Peninsula town of La Push, Washington on February 12, 1997.
The self-righting boat – built to withstand rough seas – capsized as the four were trying to rescue boaters aboard the sailing vessel Gale Runner, who had radioed in a distress call around 12:25 a.m. It was the first fatal capsizing for that type of rescue boat in its 35-year history.
The first of the four crewmen to be found was Seaman Clinton Miniken, whose body washed ashore just south of La Push. He was given CPR and taken to a Forks hospital, where he was placed on life support before he died. David Bosley, 36, of Coronado, Calif, and Matthew Schlimme, 24, of Whitewater, MO were found found floating face down in a cove later in the morning.
The sole survivor, 19-year-old Benjamin Wingo of Bremerton, was found near Schlimme and Bosley. He suffered cuts and a broken nose and was treated and released from Forks hospital.
The couple aboard the distressed sailboat were rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter.
| Name | Rating | Duty Station | Date |
| Bosley, D. A. | BM2 | STA Quillayute River, WA | 2/12/1997 |
| Schlimme, M. E. | MK3 | STA Quillayute River, WA | 2/12/1997 |
| Miniken, C. P. | SN | STA Quillayute River, WA | 2/12/1997 |
Source: Seattle Times