Over its distinguished 48-year career (1969-2017)
Morgenthau received numerous awards, commendations, and unit citations, including a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1971 during the Vietnam War, Combat Action Ribbonto the 1971 Captain and crew, and multiple Battle "E" (
Battle Effectiveness Award) for the ship's demonstrated excellence and superior achievement during certification and qualification competitions.
From 1970 to 1971 the Morgenthau served in Vietnam, a participant in the U.S. Navy's Operation Market Time.
In 1977
Morgenthau moved to the Pacific side of the United States and homeported at
Integrated Support Command Alameda,
Coast Guard Island,
Alameda, California. The cutter homeported in Alameda until December 2012.
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In January 2013
Morgenthau sailed to her new homeport in
Honolulu,
Hawaii after a December 13, 2012, hull swap with the crew of the
USCGC Jarvis (WHEC-725),
Jarvis slated for decommissioning and transfer to a foreign navy. (In naval terminology a "hull swap" is an operation where the entire crew of a ship transfers from one ship to another similar ship.)
In 2016 the U.S. Coast Guard announced that on April 18, 2017, the
Morgenthau would be decommissioned from its home port in Honolulu, Hawaii.
On April 18, 2017, USCGC
Morgenthau was decommissioned at the Coast Guard Station, Sand Island, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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Post decommissioning:
After removal of classified equipment and specified weaponry the Morgenthau is designated for purchase by Vietnam.
In 2011 the Coast Guard acknowledged its Hamilton class cutters
have far exceeded service life and proceeded with a planned phase-out the cutters and to replace them with
National Security Cutters.