Coast Guard to name new cutter for Radnor hero Emlen Tunnell
Saved the lives of two shipmates during World War II
RADNOR » The U.S. Coast Guard plans to name a new cutter after Radnor favorite son, World War II hero and football star, Emlen Tunnell.
Tunnell, who died when he was only 50, grew up in Garrett Hill and graduated from Radnor High School. He saved the lives of two fellow shipmates in two separate incidents during World War II. After the war, he played football for the Giants and was the first African American player inducted into the N.F.L. Hall of Fame. He also played for the Green Bay Packers and was an assistant coach and talent scout.
The Fast Response Cutter to be named for Emlen Tunnell is anticipated to be delivered by the shipbuilder to the Coast Guard in the second half of 2021 and commissioned into service before the end of 2021, said Peter W. Gautier, a spokesman for the Coast Guard. Between delivery and commissioning, the crew will conduct training and prepare the cutter for operations. It will be the 45th of 58 cutters to be acquired by the Coast Guard.
During the war, Steward’s Mate First Class Tunnell was on board the USS Etamin when it was attacked by the Empire of Japan on April 27, 1944, Guitier said. During the attack a shipmate, MM1c Fred Shaver, was engulfed in a fire caused by a fuel spill. Tunnell came to the aid of his shipmate and extinguished the flames while suffering burns of his own. Tunnell’s actions saved Shaver’s life.
Then on March 17, 1946, as a crewmember of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa, Tunnell rescued his shipmate StM1c Alfred Givens, who had accidentally fallen from the dock into icy, 32-degree waters, Gautier said. The rescue was observed by the commanding officer of the Tampa, who nominated Tunnell for the Silver Lifesaving Medal, one of the Coast Guard’s highest awards. This is especially noteworthy given the racial climate of this era in U.S. history; African-Americans were typically not provided such recognition, Gautier said. The award was given to Tunnell posthumously.
Tunnell was also a distinguished Coast Guard athlete, serving as the team captain of the Coast Guard Pilots, a football team made up of Coast Guardsmen serving in the San Francisco Bay area. Under Tunnell’s leadership, the team won a West Coast championship in 1944. Tunnell was selected as a member of the First Team of the All-West Coast Service Stars in 1944.
Meanwhile, sculptor Jennifer Frudakis-Petry is working on a 7-foot tall bronze statue of Tunnell commissioned by Sports Legends of Delaware County, a museum in the Radnor Township building. A 5-acre park in Radnor is also named for Tunnell.
“We’re very excited,” said Jim Vankoski, president of Sports Legends. Terry Allvord, a friend of the museum and retired U.S. Navy commander, wrote letters to the Coast Guard suggesting that a boat be named for Tunnell. Still, Vankoski said they were surprised and thrilled to learn that honor had come to pass.
“The committee has been pleasantly surprised that its foresight has been validated by a number of honors conferred on Emlen since that (sculpture) contract was signed,” Vankoski said.
Also, in July, NFL analyst Gil Brandt selected Tunnell as the top N.F.L. safety of all time. This occurred just prior to Emlen’s fans celebrating the 50th anniversary of his being the first African-American inducted into pro football’s Hall of Fame, said Vankoski. And during the Delco Veterans Freedom Medal Award Dinner in November, when a special video tribute produced by SLDC board member Brad Nau was played in his honor.
“These announcements truly attest to the fact that one of America’s hidden heroes will not remain hidden much longer,” said Vankoski, in a press release. “His statue unveiling, scheduled for June 2, 2018, will represent a fitting Delaware County tribute to a man who is fast becoming a person of national acclaim.” So far the committee has raised $65,000 for the statue, which is expected to stand just outside the township building, and another $10,000 is needed, he said. For more information or to contribute go to: www. sportslegendsofdelaware county.com