The U.S. Coast Guard in World War II

WWII Resources

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World War II

Please search the image and resource galleries at the bottom of the page for images, articles, documents and publications detailing the Coast Guard's involvement in World War II

The U. S. Coast Guard in World War II

 

    As with all wars, World War II had a transformative effect on America's military services. In the years immediately preceding U.S. entry into the conflict and over the subsequent four years, eight months of fighting, the Coast Guard's responsibilities grew exponentially. To support the cause, the Coast Guard expanded to a record high of more than 170,000 men and women serving in uniform at one time, with nearly 250,000 personnel serving over the course of the war. The Coast Guard supported both combat and traditional service missions, including search and rescue, marine safety, convoy escort duty, troop transport and amphibious operations, port security, and beach patrol. By doing so, the U.S. Coast Guard proved itself Semper Paratus-"Always Ready"-to perform any maritime missions required by the war effort.

 

 

 

World War II Image Gallery
Juan del Castillo enlisted in the Coast Guard in June 1942 after graduating from Manhattan College and, by mid-year, he had received appointment to Officer’s Candidate School at the Coast Guard Academy. He was commissioned an ensign in December of 1942, becoming the first Hispanic American to receive an officer’s commission. Castillo served on convoys in the Caribbean before receiving training at the Naval Communications School at Harvard University. The rest of the war saw him serving on board cutters in the North Pacific. Castillo was released from active duty in 1946 and served in the Reserves for nearly forty years. During this time, he had a distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and became famous for developing “CSM,” a high-protein food substance used in disaster relief, famines and mass feeding operations.
170602-G-XX000-003.JPG Photo By: na

na - Juan del Castillo enlisted in the Coast Guard in June 1942 after graduating from Manhattan College and, by mid-year, he had received appointment to Officer’s Candidate School at the Coast Guard Academy. He was commissioned an ensign in December of 1942, becoming the first Hispanic American to receive an officer’s commission. Castillo served on convoys in the Caribbean before receiving training at the Naval Communications School at Harvard University. The rest of the war saw him serving on board cutters in the North Pacific. Castillo was released from active duty in 1946 and served in the Reserves for nearly forty years. During this time, he had a distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and became famous for developing “CSM,” a high-protein food substance used in disaster relief, famines and mass feeding operations.


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This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at http://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations.html , which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.



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World War II Resources
Juan del Castillo enlisted in the Coast Guard in June 1942 after graduating from Manhattan College and, by mid-year, he had received appointment to Officer’s Candidate School at the Coast Guard Academy. He was commissioned an ensign in December of 1942, becoming the first Hispanic American to receive an officer’s commission. Castillo served on convoys in the Caribbean before receiving training at the Naval Communications School at Harvard University. The rest of the war saw him serving on board cutters in the North Pacific. Castillo was released from active duty in 1946 and served in the Reserves for nearly forty years. During this time, he had a distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and became famous for developing “CSM,” a high-protein food substance used in disaster relief, famines and mass feeding operations.
170602-G-XX000-003.JPG Photo By: na

na - Juan del Castillo enlisted in the Coast Guard in June 1942 after graduating from Manhattan College and, by mid-year, he had received appointment to Officer’s Candidate School at the Coast Guard Academy. He was commissioned an ensign in December of 1942, becoming the first Hispanic American to receive an officer’s commission. Castillo served on convoys in the Caribbean before receiving training at the Naval Communications School at Harvard University. The rest of the war saw him serving on board cutters in the North Pacific. Castillo was released from active duty in 1946 and served in the Reserves for nearly forty years. During this time, he had a distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and became famous for developing “CSM,” a high-protein food substance used in disaster relief, famines and mass feeding operations.


DOWNLOAD PHOTO (0.07 MB)


This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at http://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations.html , which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.



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