United States Coast Guard Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Government
End of Watch Thursday, April 2, 1925
Add to My HeroesKarl Edwin Gustafson
Coast Guardsman Karl Gustafson was shot and killed while on prohibition patrol in Block Island Sound, approximately three miles southeast of Race Point Lighthouse, New York.
Guardsman Gustafson was on watch in the pilothouse of CG-237 and was following a small boat suspected of carrying illegal liquor at approximately 1:00 am when the occupants aboard the other boat suddenly opened fire without warning. Guardsman Gustafson was struck by a single round the abdomen.
Other crew members immediately attended to his wound and set a course for New London, Connecticut. When they arrived at the base Guardsman Gustafson was immediately taken to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wound at 6:25 am.
Guardsman Gustafson had served with the United States Coast Guard for two years and held the ranks of Chief Boatswain's Mate (Acting). He was survived by his mother, who lived in his native Sweden. He was buried in the U.S. Navy section of Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour 2 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location New York
- Weapon Rifle; Machine gun
- Offender Not available
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsRest in peace Coast Guardsman Gustafson.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
March 31, 2020
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