BIBB WHEC 31

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Treasury Class Cutter Keel Laid 15 August 1935 - Launched 14 January 1937 USCGC GEORGE M. BIBB CGC-71 Commissioned 10 March 1937 USCGC BIBB CGC-71 Named shortened May 1937 Transferred to US Navy 11 September 1941 USS BIBB WPG-31 Redesignated Patrol Gunboat (PG) 1942 USS BIBB WAGC-31 Redesignated Amphibious Command & Control Vessel (AGC) 17 October 1944 USS BIBB WPG-31 Reverted to Gunboat (PG) 29 January 1945 USCGC BIBB WPG-31 Returned to US Coast Guard 1 December 1945 Recommissioned 1 December 1945 USCGC BIBB WHEC-31 Redesignated High Endurance Cutter (WHEC) 1 May 1966 Decommissioned 30 September 1985 Sunk 28 November 1987 as artificial reef off Key Largo, FL

"First Among Equals"

 

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

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1. USCGC Bibb WPG-31 Covers Page 1     (1935-1985)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
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Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Postmark Date	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

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1st Post Office Period 30 June 1944 to 23 March 1946

 

Locy Type 2z

1944-07-14

WPG-31. Mark from back of cover

 

Locy Type 9efu (U.S.C. G. C.)

1944-07-14

WPG-31. Mark from back of cover

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2nd Post Office Period 1968 to 1969

 

Locy Type 2(n+) ("USCGC")

1968-07-12

WHEC-31. USCG crest cachet. From the Thad Kaczkowski collection.

 

Locy Type 9efn ("USCGC")

1968-07-12

WHEC-31. USCG crest cachet. From the Thad Kaczkowski collection.

 

Other Information

USCGC BIBB earned the American Defense Service Medal w/ fleet clasp, the American Campaign Medal, the Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal w/ 1 Battle star, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 1 Battle star, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal w/ Asia clasp, the National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), the Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 Campaign stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal during her USCG/USN career.

NAMESAKE - George Mortimer Bibb (30 October 1776 - 14 April 1859) Bibb, born in Prince Edward County, Va., graduated from both Hampden-Sidney and William and Mary Colleges and then, after studying law in the office of Richard Venable, was admitted to the Virginia Bar. He moved to Lexington, Ky., in 1798 and soon achieved a position of distinction and leadership there, in politics and in his profession. Appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 1808, he became its chief justice in the following year but resigned in 1810 and was sent to the United States Senate in 1811. Although a leader of the successful "War Hawk" faction in Congress, Bibb resigned from the Senate in 1814, before the end of the War of 1812, and returned to Kentucky. Residing at Frankfort, he turned his attention back to law and state politics.
        After more than a decade of comparative retirement from the national scene, Bibb returned to the United States Senate in 1828 as a strong supporter of Andrew Jackson. However, since this six year stint in Congress left him disenchanted with "Old Hickory's" leadership, he did not stand for reelection, but returned to Kentucky at the end of his term to become Chancellor of the Louisville Court of Chancery.
        In 1844, Bibb became Secretary of the Treasury under President John Tyler. He left office on 4 March 1845 when President James K. Polk was inaugurated, but stayed in the national capital practicing law until he died there.

The cutters sponsor was Mrs. Byron Britt, great granddaughter of George M. Bibb.

Three ships have been named in his honor - USRC Bibb (1843 Revenue Marine Cutter), USS Bibb (1853 Coast Survey Vessel) and USCGC Bibb WPG-31.

 

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