Richard Etheridge

Former Union soldier and slave, life-saving station head keeper

Richard Etheridge was a former Union soldier and slave who was born on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He was awarded head keeper of the Pea Island Life Saving Station, the only all-black life saving facility in the country. Etheridge's crew was overlooked when medals were given to surfmen who had acted courageously to save lives. Despite this, Etheridge's crew continued to save lives and were known for their brav...