Monday, April 29, 2024

Edgar Culbertson Memorial

This Tuesday, 04/30/2024, there will be a memorial service at 11:00 along the canal.

On Sunday, April 30, 1967, Three young men, 16-year-old twins Nathan and Arthur Halverson and their older brother Eric Halverson, they embarked on an adventure after attending a church event at First United Methodist Church, showcasing their youthful bravery.

Little did anyone at the church suspect that the brothers, in a moment of youthful exuberance, had embarked on a playful challenge. They were hopping from light pole to light pole along the pier, unaware that this innocent fun was about to take a tragic turn.

Two of the three had made it to the end when the third one got hit by a rogue wave. The first two safe brothers went back to help their brother, and as the waves swept all three brothers away, local heroes stepped up.

Edgar Culbertson, Richard Callahan, and Ronald Prei served in the U.S. Coast Guard stationed in Duluth.

Undeterred by the treacherous conditions, Edgar Culbertson, Richard Callahan, and Ronald Prei, U.S. Coast Guard stationed in Duluth, demonstrated unparalleled bravery. They tied themselves together, forming a human chain, and embarked on a daring rescue mission, their hearts filled with the determination to save lives.

During the rescue mission, Edgar Culbertson, the husband and father of two, lost his life. We dedicate this memorial ceremony and plaque to Edgar Culberson for his heroic effort in saving the boys who also ended up perishing.


The plaque was placed there in honor of Ed Culbertson, a Coast Guardsman who gave his life, 57 years ago, trying to save three young brothers who became trapped on the pier during a fierce storm.



Ed Culberson Memorial Plaque
The words on the plaque read:
EDGAR A CULBERTSON
BM1
THIS PLAQUE IS DEDICATED BY THE PEOPLE OF DULUTH TO THE MEMORY OF A FELLOW CITIZEN, COAST GUARD BOATSWAINS MATE FIRST CLASS, EDGAR A. CULBERTSON, WHO ON THE NIGHT OF APRIL 30TH 1967 GAVE HIS LIFE ATTEMPTING TO RESCUE THREE TEEN-AGE BROTHERS STRANDED ON THIS PIER DURING A SEVERE STORM, HIS GREAT SACRIFICE IS AN ENDURING EXAMPLE OF HIS DEVOTION TO DUTY AND COMPASSION FOR HIS FELLOW MAN.