DeLand Vietnam veterans lead mission to restore historic WWII tugboat ST 479 Tiger

Dan Friend and Henry Thomas grew up together in DeLand before both went on to serve in the Vietnam War. More than 50 years later, the two veterans have reunited for a new mission: restoring the ST 479 Tiger, a rare World War II tugboat originally built right in their hometown. The 407’s Lauren Margolis climbed aboard the historic vessel to hear their story and see the restoration effort firsthand.