'Newspg4.indd' by The Newscaster

May 21, 1944, an explosion on a Landing Ship Tank that was loading

Eighteen year-old Bryan Robinson, of Crystal River, was sentenced by ammunition set off a chain reaction that would continue to burn and

Judge Ric Howard on Nov. 30, to two life sentences without parole and an ad- cause subsequent explosions into the following day. Most of the crews

ditional 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. All three sentences in the port were enjoying well-earned Hawaii liberty, taking a break

were ordered to be served consecutively. This sentence comes after almost from the perils and deployments involved with the battle in the Pacific.

three months of deliberation by Judge Howard following the week-long trial

Joseph Tezanos, a Coast Guard second class petty officer at

and the guilty verdict on Aug. 8. The sentencing is for Robinson s guilty ver- the time, was standing duty on LST 20. On that day, without regard for

dicts of premediated murder in the first degree, robbery with a deadly weapon his own personal safety or well being, Tezanos leapt into action to save

and two counts of dealing in stolen property.

Robinson and his co-defendent, 18 year-old Tyzick Joseph Wall of Dunnel-

Tezanos and three of his shipmates, lowered a small boat

lon, went to trial for the murder and robbery of 56 year-old Stephen Gorney, from LST 20 and made two trips into the affected area, as the follow-

of Crystal River, who was found deceased in his hot tub in April 2015. The on explosions occurred, saving approximately 42 injured men. While on the third run, their

two were convicted of killing Gorney, robbing his home and selling items small boat was swamped, and sank. Tezanos' three shipmates managed to return to LST 20.

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taken from the home.

Hometownwas also convicted of similar charges in this case, was Tezanos suffered multiple burns which kept him hospitalized for almost a week after the

Tyzick Wall, who News for the Nature Coast

Advertising at Reasonable Rates for years with the Department of Corrections. His incident.

sentenced on Oct. 17 to 40 S Levy, NE Citrus & SW Marion Counties

For his distinguished heroism, Tezanos received the Navy and Marine Corps Med-

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, degree (a34446charge than Robin-

convictions were for murder in the second

al, accompanied by a citation signed for the President by James Forrestal, Secretary of the

Phone: (352) 489-4588 Fax: (727) 362-4788

son s first degree charge), robbery with a deadly weapon, and two counts of dealing in stolen Navy, and a Coast Guard commendation letter from Commandant Russell Waesche. Fol-

property. Email, Tom Russell, Publisher: thenewscaster1@gmail.com

lowing the incident, Tezanos received orders to undertake reserve officer training at the U.S.

Email, Debbie Russell, Editor: debbienewscaster@gmail.com

CrimeStoppers Citrus: 1-888-ANY-TIPS

Coast Guard Academy. Upon earning his commission as an ensign in 1945, he became one

enewscaster.com · newscasterarchives.com · history.newscasterarchives.com · thehealthcaster.com

of the first known Hispanic-American officers in the Coast Guard. Tezanos died in 1985 and

is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, alongside other Coast Guard heroes.

This incident was later called the West Loch Disaster and is often referred to as

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"the second Pearl Harbor." It claimed the lives of approximately 163 people and wounded

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Tezanos' legacy continues to inspire others to step up in the face of danger. More

than seven decades later, the crew of a Coast Guard cutter bearing the Joseph Tezanos name

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pulled off a remarkably similar feat in one of the service's largest at-sea rescues, just days

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before the ship was officially commissioned.

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446

The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos is the latest Fax: (727) 362-4788

sentinel-class fast response

Phone: (352) 489-4588

cutter to honor the service'sail, Tomheroes the cutters are named after. "We will continually

Em enlisted Russell, Publisher: thenewscaster1@gmail.com

strive to emulate our namesake s legacy," said Lt.Editor: debbienewscaster@gmail.com

Email, Debbie Russell, Nicholas Herndon, the first commanding



officer of Cutter Joseph Tezanos.

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Websites: thenewscaster.com · newscasterarchives.com · history.newscasterarchives.c

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Following a 250-mile transit from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Aug.

   17, the passenger ferry vessel Caribbean Fantasy experienced an engine fire. The ferry was

roughly a mile off shore from San Juan Harbor in Puerto Rico, when the engine room fire

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grew out of control, and the captain of the vessel made the decision for all 511 passen-

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gers and crew to abandon ship. The Cutter Joseph Tezanos crew was leaving the harbor to

Continued on page 11

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