Captain Frank A. Erickson, USCG: Helicopter Pilot No. 1

This book was prompted by the Coast Guard Aviation Centennial (1916 - 2016) and written to thank and honor Coast Guard aviators who for 100 years have pioneered fixed and rotary wing aviation, secured our coastlines, and saved many thousands of lives. On Jan 4, 1944, Coast Guard helicopter pilot #1, Frank A Erickson set two new aviation records when he flew blood plasma from New York City to Sandy Hook, NJ which was used to save the lives of several sailors. On that day, Lieutenant Commander Erickson flew the mission in weather that had grounded all other available aircraft and logged the first use of a helicopter for a ‘life flight.” Erickson’s first helicopter flight “into the storm,” made good on a commitment he had made 3 years earlier as he watched sailors abandon ship and struggle and die in the burning, oil covered waters of Pearl Harbor; a commitment to find a way to lift sailors in danger off their ships.In spite of this accomplishment, it took LCDR Erickson another seven years and a sacrificed career to convince the Coast Guard that the helicopter was a valuable search and rescue tool. His perseverance and faith in the helicopter was rewarded by the helicopter becoming the Coast Guard’s primary rescue aircraft and being used to save many thousands of lives since 1944 including the stunning success of Coast Guard helicopter pilots who flew 1,817 sorties and rescued 12,535 people during hurricanes Katrina and Rita.