The year 1963 opens with Half Moon at sea on Ocean Station Bravo under the command of Commander Jay P. Dayton. After spending both Christmas and New Years on-station, she was relieved by the Coos Bay on January 6th and headed for an overnight stop in Argentia, New Foundland. Underway again on the 9th, she arrived back in New York on January 12th.

Four weeks later, on February 9th the Half Moon departed New York for a rather special deployment to Ocean Station Charlie. The ship was scheduled to visit Ireland at the conclusion of the normal patrol - to arrive in Dublin in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The ship arrived on station and assumed her duties as Charlie. A special assignment to moor a buoy at the center of the station turned into a tragedy when one of the small boats overturned, throwing the five man boat crew into the frigid water. Four of the crew were rescued without serious injury. The coxswain could not be pulled from the water in time and lost his life in the incident. The Half Moon made her scheduled trip to Dublin and returned to New York on March 30th.

April saw the Half Moon depart for Bermuda SAR Standby. While there she searched for a missing Cessna and evacuated a medical emergency case from the USNS Croatan. She returned to New York on May 11th.

The next patrol of 1963 was a rather uneventful three weeks in June and July on Ocean Station Echo. August saw the ship deployed back to Bermuda for a two week Reserve Cruise where the Half Moon served as a floating classroom for the reservists. The ship headed north on September 11th for Ocean Station Bravo. Half Moon stopped twice in Argentia and once in Halifax on this autumn patrol. She arrived back in New York on October 17th.

The Half Moon’s final mission of 1963 was a weather patrol on Ocean Station Delta over Thanksgiving. She returned to port on December 7th, in plenty of time for many of the crew to be able to enjoy holiday leaves and liberty with their families.

New Years Day, 1964 finds the Half Moon at Base St. George between patrols with Commander Jay P. Dayton still in command. Two weeks later, on the 13th of January, the Half Moon left cold New York Harbor for the warm breezes of the Caribbean as she headed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Half Moon earned the coveted E for excellence during her biennial Operational Readiness Inspection. On her weekends off, she visited Ocho Rios, Jamaica and the tiny island of Navassa. At the completion of the deployment, the crew enjoyed to a side trip to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Enroute back to New York, it was all business as the ship worked the search and rescue case of the Blue Peter II.

On March 19th, Half Moon departed New York for a rather eventful Bermuda SAR Standby. In addition to 3 urgent medical evacuations, she played a leading role in the rescue of the Mormacpine, a merchant ship that had suffered a fire at sea. During the rescue, Mormacpine collided with the Half Moon but did not cause substantial damage.

On May 18th, the ship departed on what would be Commander Dayton's last mission in command of Half Moon, a weather patrol on Ocean Station Charlie. The ship visited Halifax, Nova Scotia on this busy, but otherwise uneventful deployment.

Shortly after returning to New York, Commander Dayton was relieved by Commander Donby J. Mathieu on June 25. This was, oddly enough, the third time that CDR. Mathieu had relieved CDR. Dayton from a command.

The Half Moon's first voyage under Commander Mathieu was to Curtis Bay, Maryland for a complete overhaul at the Coast Guard yard. She remained there until October 7th when she headed for Norfolk, Virginia for fueling and degaussing. She arrived back in New York on the 9th, with everything freshly overhauled and painted.

Public Relations duties called, and the ship traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut for a weekend observance of Veteran's Day. Back to New York for a few days, then off to Bermuda for Search and Rescue Standby on November 13th.

During the last yard period, the Half Moon had been equipped with oceanographic research equipment. On this trip she had been selected to serve as a floating classroom, conducting a training cruise for the Coast Guard's new Oceanographic Technician School. Shortly after making the first oceanographic cast, the Half Moon was called away to search for the yacht, Adios. Not finding the missing yacht, the ship was directed to resume the oceanographic mission. An approaching Nor'easter encouraged speedy completion of the training and the Half Moon headed for Bermuda. During the night, a message was received directing the ship to reverse course back into the storm to attempt a MEDEVAC of a critically ill sailor from the USS Investigator. Winds in excess of 70 knots and seas estimated at 25 to 30 feet hampered the transfer. Eventually the patient was successfully high-lined from the Investigator to Half Moon and rushed to the hospital facilities in Bermuda where emergency surgery saved the patient's life. The remainder of the deployment was routine, and after celebrating Thanksgiving Day in Bermuda, the Half Moon returned to New York on December 8th.

The year 1965 opens with Half Moon moored at Base St. George in New York. Commander Donby J. Mathieu is her Commanding Officer. As the crew returned from holiday leaves, preparations were being made for the most dreaded of all weather patrols - a mid-winter Ocean Station Bravo.

The Half Moon departed Staten Island on January 23rd and ran non-stop to Bravo. Situated in the Labrador Sea, near the entrance to the Davis Straits, this was the northernmost patrol made by the Coast Guard weather ships. Near the end of this cold, rough deployment, a severe winter storm deposited hundreds of tons of ice on the superstructure of the ship. This made her extremely top heavy and liable to capsize. All hands were sent out on deck with implements ranging from steamhoses to baseball bats and mallets to rid the the ship of the dangerously heavy ice. Once the ice was removed, the captain ordered exposure treatment (86 proof) for all hands and sickbay personnel happily dispensed the medication. Half Moon made an unscheduled stop at the Argentia Naval Base to make sure that all was well for the long trip back to New York. She arrived safely back at Staten Island on February 24th.

Half Moon remained in port until March 28th when she departed for Ocean Station Delta. Situated in the Gulf Stream, Delta was mild compared to the more northern stations. A visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia was enjoyed by the crew on the way back to New York. She moored at Base St. George on April 29th.

After another all-too-short in-port period, the Half Moon left for Ocean Station Charlie on May 27th. This station, south-east of Greenland, can often be cold and rough but the Half Moon encountered three weeks of cool 50 degree temperatures, moderate seas, fog, fog and more fog. Deciding to skip the few ports available along the way, Commander Mathieu brought the ship directly back to New York harbor on June 29th.

One of the 327 foot cutters assigned to the 1965 cadet cruise had broken a main propulsion shaft and COMEASTAREA had to shuffle the operational schedules. The Half Moon ended up making back-to-back two week reserve cruises to Bermuda during July and August. The schedule rearrangement also sent the ship back to Ocean Station Charlie for a very busy weather patrol that lasted from September 16th to October 18th. No ports-of-call were visited on this deployment

The ship's final mission of the year began with a November 1st departure for Ocean Station Delta. Mild weather, calm seas and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner on board made this trip pass by quickly. The cutter returned to New York on December 1st, in time for the holidays and well deserved leaves and liberty.

New Years Day of 1966 found New York City in the throes of a paralyzing transportation strike. Trains, buses and taxis all struck simultaneously, making travel in the city a total disaster. The Half Moon was in Bushey's Shipyard in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn for some needed maintenance and for replacement of her balky sonar transducer. She remained in the yard until January 12th when she returned to Staten Island to complete preparations for her next deployment.

On January 25th, the Half Moon sailed under the Verrazano Bridge on the initial leg of what would become known as the Iguana Cruise. First stop was the beautiful, historic city of Cap Haitien on the north coast of Haiti. The crew had the opportunity to visit a castle, dine on Haitian cuisine and learn some intriguing new dance steps.

The Half Moon left Haiti on Sunday afternoon (January 30th) and arrived at the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on Monday morning. A week of drills, drills and more drills ensued and the crew was ready for some fun when Friday arrived. Commander Mathieu arranged a weekend trip to Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, where the crew enjoyed a delightful weekend in the heart of that island nation.

The ship returned to Guantanamo on Monday, February 7th. Two solid weeks without a break of drills and Harbor Entrance Patrols left the crew ready for some rest and relaxation. The Half Moon completed her training on February 25th and left Guantanamo bound for Kingston, Jamaica. The liberty sections enjoyed the hospitality of the Jamaican people and their culture. One of the more popular spots to visit was a rum distillery. After an all too brief stay the ship left Kingston harbor, bound for Barranquilla, Colombia.

The first sign the crew saw of South America was a dark brown delta of muddy water in the pristine blue of the Caribbean. The ship followed this stain to the mouth of the chocolate brown Rio Magdalena that in turn led to the port city of Barranquilla. The ship tied up alongside a civilian dock and liberty call ensued. The duty section had to be content to watch the iguanas swim by the ship in the muddy waters. One ingenious sailor (whose identity remains unknown) devised a method to fish for iguanas without the use of hooks. Soon the fantail was alive with iguanas scampering about. When the liberty party returned later that evening they were greeted by the sight of iguanas everywhere.

Barranquilla had much to offer in the form of entertainment. Whether it was dancing in one of the clubs with some of the prettiest women in the world or dining on some of the best food in all of South America, the crew enjoyed their stay immensely. After 4 days of rolling liberty it was time to head home. Half Moon's crew bid their new found friends in Colombia Adios and headed north, back to New York. The ship arrived on March 9th, without incident. Several of the iguanas survived the trip back to New York and one actually remained a mascot for several patrols. It was finally donated to the Baltimore Zoo where it remained for many years.

The ship's designation was changed on May 1st from WAVP-378 to WHEC-378. Later that year, on September 26th, she would be permanently transferred from the U.S. Navy to the Coast Guard.

The rest of 1966 was routine. The ship's final Bermuda SAR Standby was conducted from April 10th to May 10th. A hurried change of command took place on May 19th. Commander Emmett G. McCarthy, who had been Half Moon's Executive Officer in the late 50s and early 60s, returned as her new Commanding Officer. This change was followed by what would turn out to be her last Ocean Station Charlie. Upon relief of station the ship had to MEDEVAC a seriously injured mess cook from the relief ship and rush him through the fog to Argentia for medical treatment. Half Moon left Argentia the next morning and returned to New York on July 17th.

The Half Moon made her biennial trip to the Coast Guard yards at Curtis Bay on August 1st and arrived freshly painted back in New York on September 6th. A leisurely deployment to Ocean Station Echo lasted from October 10th to November 10th with a visit to Bermuda on the way home.

1966 had been a routine year for the Half Moon and her crew. Events occurring half way round the world would change all that in 1967.

The year 1967 begins with Half Moon moored at Base St George, Staten Island, New York. Commander Emmett G. McCarthy is the Commanding Officer. On January 3rd the ship set sail on a dual mission - patrolling the Cay Sal Banks near the Bahama Islands and Underway Refresher Training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On the morning of January 11th, a distress call was received from the fishing vessel Bahama Mama. Upon reaching the scene, Half Moon encountered the fishing vessel Trojan with the Bahama Mama in tow. Also in the area were the Billy J and Bunky III. The captain of the Bahama Mama had been seriously injured in the gunfire and the mate of the Billy J had been fatally wounded. Half Moon's presence ended the shooting and all four fishing boats were seized. A Coast Guard helicopter delivered a doctor to the scene to treat the wounded and several smaller cutters were dispatched to assist in the incident. The four fishing boats were manned by Half Moon personnel and escorted to the Florida Keys. The vessels and their crews were turned over to FBI investigators. This incident, recorded in Half Moon history as the infamous Lobster Wars, was only a prelude - for Half Moon herself was soon destined to go to war.

In less than two months after the Half Moon returned to New York, preparations were completed for an extended deployment off the coast of South East Asia. Crew changes were made, along with engineering maintenance and hull modifications. Gunnery and ordnance were placed on a wartime footing.

Half Moon sailed from New York on April 1st and set her sights south for the Panama Canal. The ship stopped briefly at Colon, Panama and headed west on the long voyage to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While in Pearl, the ship loaded supplies and a war time compliment of munitions.

From Hawaii, Half Moon travelled to Subic Bay in the Philipines. From there she set out for her patrol areas and by the end of June had operated at Vung Tau and off Mui Ke Ga Point, South Viet Nam.

The crew celebrated the 4th of July while visiting Hong Kong for some well deserved rest and relaxation. Then it was back to business off the coast of Viet Nam. In August, the ship enjoyed a week-long stopover at Kao Hsiung, Taiwan then set sail for the area offshore of the Mekong Delta. After completing her assigned duties, the ship set out in September for the exotic port of Bangkok, Thailand.

October was spent on patrol followed, in early November, by a side trip to Sasebo, Japan. Reminiscent of her World War II days, the ship had to weather a Pacific typhoon while enroute. The crew celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday on patrol off the coast of Viet Nam.

December saw operations in the areas of Vung Tau and Nha Trang. The ship then returned to Subic Bay in the Philipines as the first step of the long journey home. As the sun set on New Years Eve, Half Moon was at sea in the Pacific enroute New York City - nearing the end of her longest mission.

The year 1968 begins with Half Moon at sea in the Pacific Ocean. The last time this could be said was 1945 as World War II drew to a close. Emmett G. McCarthy is in command.

The ship made stops at Pearl Harbor and Rodman, Panama Canal Zone on the long way home from Southeast Asia. She arrived New York on January 22nd to a hero's welcome.

After some needed maintenance and major personnel changes, Half Moon resumed her duties in the Atlantic on April 18th. Her initial deployment was to the Labrador Sea and Ocean Station Bravo. After a routine patrol, the ship was relieved of her station and headed for the hospitality of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This was the height of the ice season and the ship had to dodge a number of icebergs to avoid the same fate as the Titanic.

Half Moon had a short in-port period from May 22nd to June 16th and then departed for Ocean Station Echo. After completing her duties on station she conducted an oceanographic survey from the edge of Echo to just off-shore of the island of Bermuda. Commander McCarthy arranged for a four day visit to Bermuda after which the ship returned to New York. Half Moon arrived at Base St. George on July 23rd and three days later a change of command brought Commander Samuel Murray Moore aboard as the new Commanding Officer.

The ship's first trip under her new skipper was a six week visit to the Coast Guard yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland. On her return to New York on September 25th, she moored for the first time at her new home on Governor's Island.

The Half Moon's next patrol was back up north to Ocean Station Bravo. She stopped for a visit enroute Bravo at the tiny French island of St. Pierre, giving the crew a chance to visit a picturesque place with a foreign flavor and culture. A routine patrol, punctuated by a SAR case, was completed and the ship headed for the Canadian port of St. Johns on the East coast of New Foundland. With Lt. Commander Youngman as Acting C.O., she pulled into New York on November 18th. Most of the crew took advantage of the rare Thanksgiving in port to enjoy the holiday with their families.

Back on board, the ship made a quick 2 week trip to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. On return to New York, the ship had the misfortune of impacting the pier at Governors Island, inflicting moderate damage to the bow. A week in Todd's Shipyard in Brooklyn put things right with the bow and she moored without incident back at Governors Island on December 23rd.

1968 had seen the Half Moon travel from the Central Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands, through the Panama Canal, up to Ocean Station Bravo twice and one trip to Echo in the Sargasso Sea. She had visited St. Pierre, St. Johns and Bermuda along the way in what would be one of her most traveled years - her last full year in service.

The year 1969 begins with Half Moon moored at Governors Island with Commander Moore as her Commanding Officer. The new 378 foot cutters had started taking on many of the missions of the older cutters. This allowed Half Moon to remain in port until March 14th when she departed for Ocean Station Delta. Following an uneventful patrol she returned back to Governor's Island on Tuesday, April 15th.

Five weeks later, she departed New York on May 23rd for another trip to Station Delta. She relieved the Castle Rock on May 28th and performed all of her assigned duties including a special series of oceanographic research observations. On June 19th the cutter Bibb appeared on the southwest horizon and a few short hours later had relieved the Half Moon of her final weather patrol.

A number of engineering problems plagued the ship on her final voyage home. She finally moored in New York for the last time on June 24, 1969. Three weeks later on July 15th, amid traditional ceremony, she was decommissioned after almost 21 years of Coast Guard Service.

Half Moon was placed in Out of Commission - Special status. She was stripped of anything of any value and towed to the Coast Guard yard in Curtis Bay. The following year her hull was auctioned off to the highest bidder for the price of $66,000. She was purchased by Cantieri Navali Santa Maria of Italy and was towed up the Delaware River to a small shipyard in New Jersey. Here she met her final fate and was cut up for scrap.