[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 19487-19488]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING PETTY OFFICER OBENDORF

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I am here today to pay tribute to the 
life of PO3 Travis Obendorf, a Coast Guard boatswain mate, who passed 
away on December 18, 2013, from injuries he sustained during the 
successful rescue of 22 individuals from the disabled fishing vessel 
Alaska Mist in the Bering Sea on November 11, 2013.
  Petty Officer Obendorf, whose nickname was ``Obie,'' gave the 
ultimate sacrifice for his Nation, and in doing so he assisted in the 
rescue of 22 mariners who otherwise may have been lost to the sea.
  Petty Officer Obendorf was a native of Idaho Falls, ID. He enlisted 
in the Coast Guard in 2004 and quickly became a leader within his boot 
camp platoon. He proudly served aboard the Coast Guard cutters Alert 
and Waesche and deployed to Bahrain as member of Coast Guard Patrol 
Forces Southwest Asia. He also served at Coast Guard Station Boston, 
MA.
  Upon reporting aboard Coast Guard cutter Waesche on 26 June 2013, 
Petty Officer Obendorf quickly integrated into the Deck Division and 
began rapidly pursuing his qualifications. During Waesche's shakedown 
cruise prior to an Alaska deployment, Petty Officer Obendorf qualified 
as a helmsman and lookout and made significant progress in all other 
qualification areas. One month into Waesche's August to November 2013 
Alaska deployment, Petty Officer Obendorf qualified in basic and 
advanced damage control, as boatswain's mate of the watch, helicopter 
tie-down crewmember, and boat crewmember on all three of Waesche's 
cutter boats. Less than a month later, Petty Officer Obendorf added 
boarding team member and antiterrorism force protection watch stander 
to his list of qualifications. Petty Officer Obendorf's rapid 
qualification in a wide variety of watch stations resulted in him being 
significantly involved in almost all aspects of Waesche's operations. 
His efforts as a boat crew and boarding team member were critical in 
the Waesche's execution of over 40 fisheries and recreational law 
enforcement boardings during the 2013 Alaska deployment.
  When Waesche was diverted for the search and rescue case involving 
fishing vessel Alaska Mist, Petty Officer Obendorf was selected as a 
boat crewmember for what would be a challenging rescue operation. Petty 
Officer Obendorf immediately began assisting his shipmates and 
preparing for the operation, which would involve removing 14 
nonessential Alaska Mist personnel as well as passing a towing line to 
the vessel in order to take it in tow.
  Once on scene, Waesche launched Petty Officer Obendorf and the rest 
of the boat crew aboard a Coast Guard small boat to begin the rescue 
operation. As the Coast Guard small boat came alongside Alaska Mist, 
one boat crewmember went aboard the vessel to brief the crew and rig 
the rescue ladder. Once this was complete, Petty Officer Obendorf began 
guiding Alaska Mist crewmembers down the ladder and

[[Page 19488]]

into the Coast Guard small boat. Petty Officer Obendorf showed 
exceptional skill and focus as he timed the rolls of both vessels and a 
significant swell to ensure the safety of the crewmembers descending 
the ladder. Despite deteriorating weather conditions, Petty Officer 
Obendorf courageously and successfully guided five Alaska Mist 
crewmembers to safety.
  The Coast Guard small boat returned to Waesche with the first group 
of passengers and entered the stern notch with Petty Officer Obendorf 
positioned on the bow to assist in securing the boat for recovery. 
During the recovery evolution, Petty Officer Obendorf received a severe 
head injury. Waesche completed the operation, ultimately rescuing 22 
people and towing the fishing vessel to safety, but despite the 
lifesaving first aid of his shipmates and the excellent care of two 
medical centers, Petty Officer Obendorf succumbed to his injuries on 18 
December 2013.
  Petty Officer Obendorf will surely be missed by his family, loved 
ones, and shipmates. I am thankful for his service and honored by his 
sacrifice.

                          ____________________