“No greater love”—Billy Flores, hero of the Blackthorn lost over 45 years ago
William H. Thiesen, Ph.D. —
As Blackthorn rolled into the dark waters of Tampa Bay, 18 year old Seaman Apprentice Billy Flores kept throwing life jackets to shipmates in the water, then used his own belt to hold the locker open as the cutter sank. His final act helped others live.
