The sinking of U-175
This month marks the 70th anniversary of a decisive victory for the predecessor of Coast Guard Cutter Spencer. In the uncertain days of World War II, the Coast Guard-manned USS Spencer steamed alongside convoy ships maintaining long lines of food, men and war machines destined for the front lines of Europe. These ships faced a new, elusive enemy: U-boats. These submarines harassed the Allies’ supply lines, attacking at night and vanishing just as quickly. The crew of Spencer lived under constant threat of attack.
Always Ready: The Gaudian Family
The Coast Guard is in his blood. Caleb Gaudian is a few weeks away from shipping to Coast Guard Basic Training. He won’t have much time in boot camp to ruminate on what brought him here, but his family history is rich with Coast Guard adventure.
Coast Guard Reserve: 72 years of service to America
Today, the Coast Guard Reserve consists of nearly 8,000 dedicated men and women who support the Coast Guard roles of maritime homeland security, national defense – domestic and expeditionary – and response to natural and man-made domestic disasters. Reservists are always ready to mobilize with critical competencies in boat operations, contingency planning and response, expeditionary warfare, marine safety, port security, maritime law enforcement and mission support.
WWII Coast Guard Grumman Duck crash site located after 70 years
Today, the Defense Department’s Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command announced that an expedition team – comprised of U.S. Coast Guard servicemembers, scientists and explorers – has produced sufficient evidence that the crash site of the Grumman Duck has been found beneath the ice near Koge Bay, Greenland.
Not your typical Coast Guard operation
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Washington recently visited Ulithi Atoll to deliver humanitarian supplies and teach locals about safe boating practices. Washington, a 110-foot patrol boat out of Guam, delivered rice, rainwater collectors, school books, clothing and outboard boat engines. These supplies were much needed on the small islands that make up the atoll, as the ship that normally delivers cargo to the atoll has been unable to make the voyage for almost a year due to mechanical problems.
Shipmate of the Week – Lt. j.g. Doritha Douglas
On this day in 1942, legislation approved the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve to help fill jobs and free men to serve during the war effort. Women from all over the country took the oath, attended training, wore the uniform and served in shoreside positions throughout the nation. They were known as the SPARs – Semper Paratus, Always Ready! On Nov. 9, former SPAR and Coast Guard veteran Lt. j.g. Doritha Douglas was interviewed about her decision to join the SPARs and the experiences she had. Douglas is one of the oldest surviving members of the SPARs.
Baptism by fire: Veterans reflect on their service in WWII
It was baptism by fire for USS Callaway as she landed troops at Kwajalein on Jan. 31, 1944. Just months before, Callaway had set sail from her homeport of Norfolk, Va. After embarking Marines in San Diego the ship left for the Pacific and performed their first of several assault landings.
The legacy of Signalman 1st Class Douglas Munro
Written by Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp. U.S. Coast Guard men and women carry out a wide variety of diverse missions every day as we protect people on the sea, protect the nation against threats from the sea and [...]
Jack Ayre & the legacy of the military working dog
Jack Ayre served his counry honorably, earning both the American Area Campaign Ribbon and WWII Victory Medal and went on to supervise the loading of ammunition and explosives aboard freighters at Hog Island. But the work of his canine companions was still on his mind.
Mounted beach patrol: When the service saddled up
Beach patrols were normally done on foot, going back as early as 1871, when the Life-Saving Service, a predecessor of the modern Coast Guard, used foot patrols to watch the coastlines for ships in distress. The service used horses to haul boats from storage sheds to the launching point to rescue crews from ships run aground. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the wartime beach patrol was put into action and the seagoing service saddled up in 1942, when horses were authorized for use to patrol U.S. beaches. Using the horses allowed the patrols to cover far more territory faster and more easily than men on foot.
