New London -- To remember the sacrifices and dedication of the WWII Greenland Patrol (1940-45), the U.S. Coast Guard International Ice Patrol, the Navy League, the National Coast Guard Museum Association, and the City of New London gathered at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Museum in New London on May 26.

The ceremony included remarks from Cmdr. Gabrielle McGrath, the commander of the International Ice Patrol, the Honorable Cathy Cook, the secretary of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, and New London Mayor Michael Passero.  

Bob Ross, executive director of military affairs for the state of Connecticut, and Groton City Mayor Keith Hedrick were distinguished guests at the event.

 A wreath, dedicated during the ceremony, will be deployed from a Coast Guard HC-130J aircraft during the week of June 1 on an iceberg reconnaissance patrol over the North Atlantic Ocean.

The histories of the International Ice Patrol and the Greenland Patrol became closely intertwined when Greenland, a Danish possession, acquired diplomatic and strategic importance after Germany invaded Denmark in 1940.  

The cutters and Coast Guardsmen of the pre-war Ice Patrol formed the nucleus of the Greenland Patrol, which included a variety of Army, Navy, and Coast Guard units and became one of the largest joint forces ever commanded by the Coast Guard.  

The ice experience and extensive oceanographic work completed by the Coast Guard during the International Ice Patrol's operations following the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 proved invaluable to the success of the Greenland Patrol.