The USCGC Icarus (WPC-110) was a steel-hulled, diesel-powered patrol vessel of the Thetis class, constructed by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. She was delivered on March 29, 1932, and commissioned the following day. Designed for coastal patrol and law enforcement, Icarus initially operated along the U.S. East Coast, supporting efforts against rum-runners during Prohibition and performing rescue patrols. With the onset of World War II, the Coast Guard was transferred to the U.S. Navy, and Icarus was rearmed for wartime duties. Stationed off the East Coast, she became actively involved in anti-submarine operations during the height of the U-boat threat in early 1942. Notably, on May 9, 1942, while en route to Key West, Icarus detected and engaged the German U-352 off Cape Lookout. After a series of depth charge attacks, U-352 surfaced, and Icarus opened fire with machine guns before the crew abandoned ship. Icarus then dropped a final depth charge, sinking the submarine. This event marked the second U-boat sunk in American waters during WWII and the first from which survivors were rescued. The vessel rescued 33 crew members, including U-352's commander, Kapitänleutnant Hellmut Rathke, after receiving authorization from higher command. For her role in this engagement, Lieutenant Maurice D. Jester, commanding Icarus, was awarded the Navy Cross. Post-attack, Icarus resumed convoy escort, anti-submarine patrols, and search and rescue missions. She was later assigned to the Air-Sea Rescue Service in 1945 before being placed in reserve status in 1946. Decommissioned in 1948, she was sold to the Southeastern Terminal and Steamship Company and later transferred to the Dominican Navy, where she was renamed Independencia. The vessel saw combat during the Dominican Civil War in 1965, underwent rebuilding in 1975, and remained listed in naval records into the 1990s, highlighting her long service history and maritime significance.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.