Coast Guard Ship In St. Pete Honors Coastguardsman For Texas Rescue

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A new United States Coast Guard ship that's homeport is Sector St. Petersburg received its name Wednesday in honor of a Coastguardsman who rescued a crew from a hurricane-damaged sailing ship in 1919.

Pablo Valent, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, joined the Coast Guard in 1912. Seven years later, Valent helped save sailors from a hurricane-damaged ship off the coast of Texas. For his heroic efforts, Valent received the Silver Lifesaving Medal and the Grand Cross of the American Cross of Honor Society, a Coast Guard news release said.

Cecilia Guillot, Valent’s great-niece, sponsored the ship. Guillot attended the commissioning ceremony in St. Pete along with Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard District 7.