William Flores

Flores was born and raised in Carlsbad, New Mexico. By the time he was in high school, he and his family moved to Benbrook, Texas. With his parents' permission, Flores left Western Hills High School in Benbrook early in order to serve in the United States Coast Guard. Seaman Apprentice Flores helped save twenty-three (23) of his crewmates, at the cost of his own life. ==Honors==

In 2000, twenty years after the collision, Flores was formally honored for his bravery. Flores was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal. Coast Guard Medal Citation In November 2011, the Coast Guard named its third Sentinel class cutter USCGC William Flores. All the vessels in this class are to be named after heroic members of the Coast Guard. St. Petersburg, and the Coast Guard, each held commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of Flores' heroic act, in late January 2020. File:USCG William Flores on the day of her naming ceremony.jpeg|USCGC William Flores on the day of her naming ceremony File:USCGC William Flores WPC 1103 Coat of Arms.jpg|Cutter's coat of arms with symbolism honoring SA Flores File:Alpha Co. 124 Platoon Photo.jpg|Flores' Company Photo (Far left, 2nd to last row) ==References==