Celebrities and other Famous People

A list of people that once served in or was associated with the U.S. Coast Guard.


 

Collapse All Expand All
 

Al Barlick, Professional Baseball Umpire, National Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee

 

Alan Hale, Jr., Actor

 

Alex Haley, Writer

Click here for more information on JO1 Alex Haley.

 

Alex Lukachik, Professional Football Player (Pittsburgh Steelers)

 

Anton Otto Fischer, Artist

 

Arnold Palmer, Professional Golfer

Born 1929

Born in Youngstown, Pennsylvania, Arnold Palmer started playing golf at the age of 3.  In 1947 he entered Wake Forest University.  He enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1950 as a Yeoman and continued to serve until 1953.  Though a Yeoman, Palmer participated in many matches as the Coast Guard allowed him to continue to play golf.  He returned to Wake Forest and in 1954 he won the U.S. Amateur Championship.  His professional playing garnered him four Master’s Championships, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, also the 1960 U.S. Open and the 1961 and ’62 British Open.  He is the first golfer to earn over one million dollars in prize tournament money.  He also won the 1981 and 1982 U.S. Senior Open.

A photo of Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer

[190513-G-G0000-3009]

A photo of Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer

[190513-G-G0000-3010]

 

Art Coulter, Professional Hockey Player, National Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee

Defenseman Art Coulter played nearly 500 NHL games for the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers during an exemplary career. An athlete of exceptional strength and endurance, he was fiercely devoted to the concept of teamwork.

The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba began making a name for himself in his hometown with the senior Pilgrims. He gained two and a half years of professional experience with the Philadelphia Arrows of the Can-Am League. He excelled at both ends of the ice and demonstrated a willingness to mix it up with the opposition by leading the league in penalty minutes in 1930-31.

After playing the last 13 games of the regular season and two playoff matches for Chicago in 1931-32, Coulter became a regular the next year. His physical play and ability to handle the puck made Coulter a perfect defense partner for burly Taffy Abel. The solid duo played a key role on the Hawks' inaugural Stanley Cup win in 1934.

Coulter was placed on the NHL second all-star team in 1935 but found himself traded to the Rangers for Earl Seibert midway through the next season. His solid defensive play and competitive zeal pleased the New York management and fans. Prior to the 1937-38 season, Coulter succeeded Bill Cook as captain and was selected to the second all-star team three straight years beginning in 1938. In 1939 he took part in the Babe Siebert Memorial Game and the next year he helped the Blueshirts win their third Stanley Cup. Coulter set a career high with 19 points the following season and was one of the most popular players on Manhattan.

The veteran defender joined the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II and spent two seasons with the Coast Guard Cutters when they played out of the Eastern League. Coulter was one of the top attractions in the league and was placed on the first all-star team in 1943. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974.

 

Arthur Feidler, Conductor

Born December 17, 1894 – Died July 10, 1979

Arthur Fielder "Mr. Pops", who presided over the Boston Pops Orchestra, an orchestra made up of the principal musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestra was well known for providing his unique and popular music on the Orchestra for nearly 50 years from 1930 until 1979. The Orchestra under his baton, made hundred’s of recordings. Fielder changed the whole nature of symphony concerts, adding popular music, folk music, Broadway musicals, rock and roll, jazz and even advertising jingles.

An avid sailor and yacht owner, who volunteered as a member first of the Coast Guard Temporary Reserve and then the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

 

Arthur Godfrey, Entertainer

Born Aug 31, 1903 – Died March 16, 1983

Popular radio and television entertainer in the 1940’s and 50’s. Born in New York City he originally enlisted in the Navy and trained as a radioman. After four years of service in the Navy he enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1927. In the Coast Guard his career as an entertainer began when he became involved in Coast Guard entertainment programs. When he left the service the Coast Guard was instrumental in obtaining his first job at WFBR, a Baltimore radio station, first as a singer, then as an announcer, and finally as station manager. During the 1940s he became a popular entertainer with CBS. During WWII he entered the Naval Reserve as an officer. In 1959 Godfrey developed lung cancer and although he recovered from it he did not return to CBS until 1972. Arthur Godfrey was always proud of his close association with the Navy and the Coast Guard.

 

Arthur Marx, Tennis Player, Biographer, Writer (Stage & Screen); Son of Groucho Marx

 

Blake Edwards, Writer, Director, Producer

Blake Edwards was born in 1922 and after graduating high school did a "stint" in the Coast Guard before he began his distinguished Hollywood career.

 

Bubba Morton, Major League Baseball Player (Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Braves & California Angels)

 

Buddy Ebsen, Actor

Christian Rudolph Ebsen, Jr.

Born 1908

Actor, comedian and dancer Buddy Ebsen is best known for his role as Jed Clampett on "The Beverly Hillbillies" and detective Barnaby Jones.  Ebsen a well-known dancer from a vaudeville, appeared in several early films, including one with Shirley Temple.  He was originally cast as the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.  Unfortunately the aluminum dust used in the make-up got into his system.  Ebsen had to drop out of shooting in order recuperate.  When he returned he found out that he had been replaced with actor Jack Haley.  In a contract dispute with MGM Ebsen found that he had time on his hands so he started sailing.  

LT Buddy Ebsen, USCGR

LT Buddy Ebsen, USCGR

[190513-G-G0000-3002]

In 1941 he decided to apply for a Navy commission but was turned down even though he was spending time teaching seamanship to Naval Reserve OCS candidates.  Ebsen applied for a commission in the Coast Guard.  He was accepted and commissioned a Lieutenant (jg) in the Coast Guard.  He served on the Navy frigate USS Pocatello, a weather ship that served on Station Able.  He was honorably discharged a Lieutenant in 1946.  Ebsen went on to various bit parts in movies, but his career really took off when Walt Disney hired him to play George Russel, Davey Crockett’s (Fess Parker), partner.

Buddy Ebsen crossed the bar on 6 July 2003.

 

Burton Gilliam, Boxer, Actor

 

Cesar Romero, Actor

Cesar Julio Romero, Jr., was born on 15 February 1907 in New York City to Cuban-American parents.  He was the godson of Jose Marti, a leader of the Cuban revolution.  Romero attended schools in New York and Connecticut and planned on a career in banking.  A chance meeting with Lisbeth Higgins started Romero on a professional dancing career--as her partner--that took him from the hotel showrooms of Manhattan to the Broadway stage and eventually, Hollywood.  In 1934 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios tapped the young man for the role of a gigolo in "The Thin Man."  Romero later played Warner Baxter's sidekick in "The Return of the Cisco Kid," eventually moving into a starring role.  He was signed by Twentieth Century-Fox in 1937.

Caesar Romero

Cesar Romero

[190513-G-G0000-2005]

In October, 1942, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and saw service in the Pacific Theatre.  He reported aboard the Coast Guard-manned assault transport U.S.S. Cavalier (APA-37) in November, 1943 and saw action at Tinian and Saipan.  According to a press release from the period:

Romero preferred to be one of the crew and asked for no special privileges, which he did not receive.  His shipmates admired him for this and for his exceptionally hard work. Romero was considered to be one of the best winch operators, swinging 18,000 lb. barges from their deck cradles over the side of the transport during invasions or while loading cargo.  Among other duties he was first powderman on the forward five-inch gun.  When an occasion permitted recreation, Romero helped put on a variety show for the crew.  Later in the war he assisted in Bond rallies.

Cesar Romero

Cesar Romero

[190513-G-G0000-3011]

He made the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate before receiving his honorable discharge at the end of the war.  He then returned to Hollywood.  He was best remembered by contemporary audiences for his portrayal of The Joker on the 1960s television show "Batman."  He passed away on 2 January 1994 at the age of 86.

 

Charles Gibson, Newscaster

 

Charles Isaacs, Writer

 

Chester R. Simmons, Sports Broadcasting Executive, First USFL Commissioner

 

Chiao-Shun Soong, Businessman, Chinese Patriarch

 

Chris Cooper, Actor

Born 1951

Chris W. Cooper was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on 9 July 1951.  He served in the Coast Guard Reserve before graduating from the University of Missouri.  He has appeared in numerous films and television programs and won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in the 2002 film "Adaptation." 

 

Christopher Hibler, Producer, Director

 

Claiborne Pell, former Senator (RI)

Former Senator Claiborne Pell was born in 1918.  He enlisted in the Coast Guard four months prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  He first served as a ship's cook and eventually earned a commission.  During the war, he served on North Atlantic convoy duty and in Sicily and Italy.  He left active duty at the end of the war with the rank of Lieutenant but continued serving in the Coast Guard Reserve.  Upon returning to civilian life Senator Pell worked form many years in foreign affairs.  He was also the Vice President of the International Rescue Committee.  The Knights of Malta decorated him for his refugee work and he received the Knight Crown of Italy for his work on rehabilitating the Sicilian fishing industry.  He also received the French Legion of Honor and was decorated by Portugal as well.

A photograph of Captain Claiborne Pell, USCGR

Claiborne Pell, USCR

[190513-G-G0000-2004]

In 1960 he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Rhode Island and he served in the Senate from 1961 until 1997.  During his distinguished career, Senator Pell served as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  He also served on the Labor and Public Welfare and Rules and Administration Committees.  He is the author of Megalopolis Unbound and co-author of Challenge of the Seven Seas.

He retired from the Coast Guard Reserve with the rank of Captain.

 

Clarke Hinkle, Professional Photographer

 

Danny Joe Brown, Musician ("Molly Hatchet")

 

Derroll Adams, Folk Musician

 

Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Martial Arts Master, Actor

 

Donald Duck, Actor, Comedian, Cartoon Character

The logo of the U.S. Coast Guard's Corsair Fleet

as drawn by Walt Disney.

Donald Duck as a Corsair

[190513-G-G0000-8001]

FOR OFFICIAL U.S. COAST GUARD USE ONLY

 

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Athlete, Surfer, Actor

Born 1890 – Died 1968

A descendant of Hawaiian royalty, Duke is considered to not only Hawaii’s greatest athlete, but also the father of international surfing.  Duke won his first Olympic gold medal in 1912 where he set a world record in 100 meter free-style.  He also won a silver medal as a member of the United States 200-meter relay team.  In 1920 he won two gold medal breaking his record in 100 meter free style and setting a world record for the free-style relay team.  He won a silver medal in 1924 for the 100 meter free-style and in 1932 he won a bronze as a member of the water polo team.  He was a famed surfer and legendary as an outstanding longboard surfer.  He appeared in some 30 early movies and served for many years as Honolulu’s Ambassador of Aloha and County Sheriff.  He and great friend Preston Foster were members of the United States Coast Guard Temporary Reserve and both he and Foster were Honorary Commodores.

 

Edith Head, Academy Awar-winning Costume Designer (Designer of USCG women's uniforms in the 1970s)

 

Edmund K. Parker, Kenpo Martial Arts Master & Founder of the American Kenpo Karate

 

Edward T. Barry, Professional Hockey Player

 

Edwin O'Connor, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author

 

Elizabeth Smith Friedman, Cryptographer

Elizabeth Smith Friedman, Coast Guard Cryptanalyst, born in 1892, was one of the most remarkable women to ever work for the U.S. Government.  The National Security Agency described her as: "wife, mother, writer, Shakespeare enthusiast, cryptanalyst, and pioneer in U.S. cryptology." (1)  While not a member of the Coast Guard per se, Mrs. Friedman was the Treasury Department's cryptanalyst, hired in 1924, who assisted the various departments of the Treasury with code breaking.  Her work with the Coast Guard began soon after the passage of the Volstead Act.  Liquor smugglers frequently made use of radios to coordinate their activities and began to encode their messages.  Ms. Friedman was then detailed to the Coast Guard and so began a remarkable career with the nation's oldest sea service breaking these illicit codes.  She was quite successful and is credited with "breaking" the code of over 12,000 different encoded radio messages.

She was also a star government witness at a number of smugglers' trials, including the famous I'm Alone case.  In 1938 she "cracked" the code used by an opium smuggling ring operating out of Canada.  In this instance she assisted the Canadian government.  A newspaper article noted:

Mrs. Elizabeth Smith Friedman, Coast Guard cryptanalyst, returned to Washington with the story of how the solution of Chinese code broke up a Canadian opium smuggling ring.  Mrs. Friedman, who was lent by the U.S. Government to the Canadian Government, was a key witness at a trial in which five Vancouver, B.C., Chinese were convicted of trading guns and ammunition for opium.  Her job was to turn such messages as 'Uuooa masan aguso gukuu juuia ety' into the order list of Wat Sang.  She declined for professional reasons, however, to say how this was done, although she admitted the message was a code of Chinese words and that she does not know Chinese.  After she solved the code, a Chinese interpreter helped translate the message.  Mrs. Friedman has been the cryptanalyst since 1924 and handles deciphering work for all agencies of the Treasury.  During prohibition days, she sometimes had hundreds rum runners' code messages to solve. (2)

Her husband was also a famous cryptanalyst, William Friedman.

Sources

1)  U.S. National Security Agency's website.

2)  "Cracks Chino Code," Coast Guard Magazine Vol. 10 (August, 1938), p. 60.

 

Emlen Tunnel, Professional Football Player

 

Eulace Peacock, Athlete (100-yard dash co-record holder with Jesse Owens & ISA Track & Field Hall of Fame)

 

Ford Rainey, Actor

 

Frank Brimsek, Professional Hockey Player, National Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee

Netminder Frank "Mr. Zero" Brimsek was one of the greatest players ever to hail from the United States.  In a decade of NHL service, the accurately nicknamed Mr. Zero registered 80 shutouts and won 252 regular-season games.  He led all netminders in shutouts, goals-against average and wins twice each, and he backstopped Boston to Stanley Cup wins in 1939 and 1941.

The Minnesota native starred with his hometown Eveleth Rangers in 1934-35, then joined the formidable Pittsburgh Yellowjackets of the USAHA later that same year.  Steeltown agreed with Brimsek as he recorded 14 wins in 16 matches.  The next season he, and the entire team, switched to the pro ranks in the Eastern Hockey League.  The promising youngster registered a league-high 20 wins and 8 shutouts during the 1935-36 schedule.  At the conclusion of the season he was placed on the EHL First All-Star Team and was presented the George L. Davis Jr. Trophy for allowing the fewest goals.

Next it was off to the Providence Reds where he led the AHL with 48 games played and a 1.75 goals-against mark.  His unlimited potential convinced the Boston Bruins to sign him to replace their aging incumbent, Tiny Thompson.  During his rookie season Brimsek showed no sign of buckling under the pressure of replacing an NHL legend.  In one of the greatest first-year performances ever, he was in goal for 33 Boston wins and topped the league with 10 shutouts and a 1.56 goals-against mark. In addition, he posted two shutout streaks of more than 200 minutes each. During the playoffs he recorded eight wins in 12 games as Boston won its second Stanley Cup. Brimsek's heroics between the pipes were confirmed when he was awarded the Calder Trophy.

Brimsek was a classic standup goalie whose confidence on the ice threw off many a shooter. On breakaways and penalty shots he would often lean back calmly against his net as the foe approached. But he was not a passive figure while guarding his cage - Brimsek used his custom-made heavy stick to knock the puck off opposition sticks or to take the feet out from under someone who took too many liberties around his goal.

In 1941 his stellar goalkeeping contributed to the Bruins' second Stanley Cup in three years. That year he won his first of two Vezina trophies and was selected to the NHL First All-Star Team. The 1941-42 season arguably spoke the loudest for Brimsek's importance to the Bruins. After the famous Kraut Line of Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, Mr. Zero almost single-handedly guided his club to a spot in the playoffs. In 1943 the Second World War interrupted Brimsek's career, and he joined the Coast Guard.  He played on the Coast Guard "Cutters" hockey team and then served aboard a Coast Guard supply ship in the Pacific until the end of the war.

Brimsek returned to the Bruins in 1945-46. Considering the layoff, he did well to earn selection to the NHL Second All-Star Team. He played three more years with Boston, but the team was not as strong as it had been before the war. Brimsek's netminding heroics kept the Bruins in many games during this period, and in 1948 he finished second to the Rangers' Buddy O'Connor in the Hart Trophy voting.

In September 1949 the Bruins sold Brimsek to the Chicago Black Hawks. He played all 70 games in the expanded NHL schedule behind a weak squad. He finally retired after the team failed to qualify for the post-season. Although he did not go out on a high note, his superb record over the years was not forgotten. Brimsek registered nine 20-win seasons and logged over 31,000 minutes of ice time.

In 1966 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and, fittingly, "Mr. Zero" was also one of the first players elected to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, located in his hometown of Eveleth, Minnesota.

 

Frank Murkowski, Governor of Alaska & former Senator (AK)

Frank H. Murkowski graduated from Seattle University in 1955.  He joined the Coast Guard that summer.  During his tour of duty, he was stationed in Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska.  He also served aboard the cutters Sorrel and Thistle.  He completed his Coast Guard service in 1957In 1980 Murkowski successfully ran for the U. S. Senate, where he served through four terms.  Senator Murkowski served on the Energy & Natural Resources, Finance, Indian Affairs and Veterans' Affairs Committees.  He then ran successfully for the governorship of Alaska.

 

Frank Tucker Bobst, Artist & Activist

 

G. William Miller, Businessman, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Secretary of the Treasury

 

Gale Gordon, Radio, TV & Movie Actor

 

Gene Taylor, Congressman (MS)

Born 1953

Representative Gene Taylor, first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1989, is a representative from Mississippi’s Fifth Congressional District.  He holds a seat on the Armed Services and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. He was born in New Orleans in 1953.  In the U.S. House of Representatives, Taylor serves on two major committees, the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  As a member of the Armed Services Committee, he is the Ranking Member of the Projections Forces Subcommittee.  He also sits on the Readiness Subcommittee and Merchant Marine Panel.  On the Transportation and Infrastructure committee he serves on the subcommittees of Highways, Transit and Pipelines and the Water Resources and Environment. In addition, Taylor serves as co-chair of the following three Congressional Member Organizations: National Guard and Reserve Caucus, Coast Guard Caucus, and the House Boating Caucus.

He served in the Coast Guard Reserve from 1971 to 1984.  His official House biography notes:

Taylor is one of only a handful of Members of Congress with hands-on experience in the United States Coast Guard.  Serving in the Coast Guard Reserve from 1971 - 1984 as the skipper of a search and rescue boat, he received the Commandant's Letter of Commendation for fire fighting and a letter of Commendation for for saving the life of a crewmember.

 

George S. Patton, Jr., General (U.S. Army)

On October 1925 then Major Patton received the Silver Lifesaving Medal. The inscription on the rear of the medal states:

"To George S. Patton, Jr. for bravely rescuing three boys from drowning on 3 February 1926."

At the time of the rescue Patton was on 3 months of leave in Salem, Massachusetts. He had just graduated from Advanced Cavalry School in FT Riley, Kansas. He was on leave prior to his reporting to the General Service School in FT Leavenworth.

The citation reads:

Major Patton and his wife, sailing over the harbor of Salem, Massachusetts, August 21, 1923, when a squall blew up. Being unable to weather around and return home they continued on across the harbor, after which they heard cries of distress astern. Still being unable to go about, Major Patton maneuvered his boat so as to drift toward three boys observed clinging to a capsized dory from which the mast and sails had been unshipped and floating around making the approach very awkward. One boy called that his companion could not swim, whereupon Major Patton reached out an oar, taking the boys, one by one over the stern into his boat, which then had practically no freeboard. Nevertheless, he managed to reach the lee of the land and dropped the boys safely on a pier, about one and on-half miles distant.

 

Gerald Arpino, Choreographer, Dancer, Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet

 

Gig Young, Actor

Born Byron Elsworth Barr, he took the name "Gig Young" from the character he played in "The Gay Sisters."  Young enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1941 and served as a Pharmacist’s Mate through all of World War II until his discharge in 1945.   He went on to a career in Hollywood.  His films included the "Game of Death," "The Three Musketeers," "Young at Heart," "The Hindenburg," "The Elite Killer," and "They Shoot Horses, Don’t They."  On television he appeared in "The Rogues."

Tragically, Young shot and killed his fourth wife, German actress Karen Schmidt, after three weeks of marriage.  He then took his own life.

 

Gower Champion, Dancer, Actor, Director

Born June 22, 1921 – Died 1980

Singer, Dancer, Actor, Choreographer, Gower Champion was born in Geneva , Illinois.  He and his wife Marjorie were considered one of the most memorable dancing teams that paired together.  Their dance routines for many movie musicals were known for their visual and stunning choreography.

Champion started dancing at an early age when his mother moved to Los Angeles.  In 1941 he entered the Coast Guard for wartime service.  His service included entertainment during various USO shows and troop shows.  When he left active duty in 1946 he teamed up with Marjorie Belcher, they were married in 1947. Some of the films they appeared in were "Mr. Music", "Showboat", "Lovely To Look At", and "Jupiter’s Darling".  On television they appeared on the "The Bell Telephone Hour", "The Marge and Gower Champion Show" and the "Admiral Broadway Review".  He directed such movie musical blockbusters as "Hello Dolly" and "Guys and Dolls".  Gower Champion passed away in 1980.  His wife Marge still dances and teaches dance.

 

Guy Madison, Actor

 

Hamilton Cochran, Writer

Hamilton Cochran was born on 9 September 1898 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  His father Joseph, a clergyman, sought to give his son a good education and sent him to Swarthmore Preparatory School.  In April 1917, after the United States declared war on Germany, Hamilton, at only eighteen, left school within a week and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard.

After three months of training in New London, Connecticut at the Coast Guard Academy, located in Fort Trumball, the Service assigned him to the USCGC Algonquin.  This Coast Guard cutter was one of six warships that the Coast Guard sent to fight in Europe.  On 25 September, the Algonquin steamed from Boston, towing a minesweeper to Halifax and then sailed for Gibraltar, arriving there on 16 October.

During the war, the Algonquin convoyed merchant ships between the English Channel ports and Gibraltar.  Hamilton spent fifteen months on this duty.  The Algonquin participated in twenty-one convoys without losing a single ship.  The Algonquin returned to New London in February 1919.  During Cochran's twenty-three months in the Coast Guard, he visited twenty-eight different ports and returned to the states a seasoned tar.

Service to his country had a huge impact on the young man.  Within months after stepping off the Algonquin he wrote a couple of documents that related to his wartime service.  One was entitled "Hunting the Hun with the Coast Guard."  Restless for knowledge Cochran entered the University of Michigan that fall, after only three years of study, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.

After college, Cochran could not shake the sea from his veins and sailed on the Red Star and Munson lines in passenger and freight vessels.  For seven years he worked for Ronald Press as a salesman and from 1930 until 1932 he served as a vice president of the Diamond Wax Paper Company in Rochester, New York.

In 1932, his life took a turn that would foster his writing for the rest of his life.  He accepted a job as the Commissioner of Public Welfare for the government of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas.  While in the islands he became fascinated by the history of area and particularly the tales of pirates. Here he was able to gather much of the material he would use for his first and many of his later books.

In 1937, he wrote his first book entitled: These are the Virgin Islands.  It is a historic synthesis of the rich history of the islands.  It narrates some of the islands' unique maritime tales and relates the events and the people, which make up the region's rich lore. Between 1935 and 1943, Cochran worked for Standard Oil Company as an advertising executive.  During these years his writing career flourished.  In 1941 he wrote his first novel entitled Buccaneer Islands.  It was written for young readers and was published by Thomas Nelson.  Later came Windward Passage (Bobbs-Merrill, 1942) and Captain Ebony (Bobbs-Merrill, 1943).  In writing these books he utilized material he collected while he had worked in the Virgin Islands.  In 1944 he landed a job with Curtis Publishing Company as the automotive marketing manager for the Saturday Evening Post.  Three years later he published his fourth novel Rogue's Holiday, published by Bobbs-Merrill.

During World War II, at the age of forty-four, feeling that his country needed him, he again joined the Coast Guard.  He served as a temporary reservist in Flotilla 605.  From April to November 1943, Cochran worked several days each month for the Coast Guard.

By the late 1940s he had traveled extensively throughout the Western Hemisphere.  During his life he logged more than 100,000 miles at sea.  In 1958, Cochran wrote his most well known book Blockade Runners of the Confederacy, published by Bobbs-Merrill.  For decades this book has served as a general resource for everyone who is interested in reading about the Civil War blockade.  In 1960, Curtis Publishing Company made Cochran the director of advertising.  Two years later he began work for Stanley Publishing Company as a vice president.  Cochran retired in 1964 devoting his time to writing and volunteer work with the Philadelphia Maritime Museum.

Cochran also contributed poems to three anthologies and wrote articles for the Saturday Evening Post, Esquire, and other magazines.  In 1976, a year before he died, his final book, Pirate Wench: The Voyages and Adventures of Ann O'Shea was published by R. Hale.  In all, he wrote thirteen books during his lifetime.

 

Harvey C. Russell, Jr. (first African-American to break the corporate color barrier when he became Vice President of Corporate Planning for Pepsi in 1962)

 

Henry Wilcoxon, Actor

 

Howard Coble, Congressman (NC)

Born 1931

Born in Greensboro North Carolina, Representative Howard Coble received his history degree from Guilford College and his law degree from the University of North Carolina.  He served in the North Carolina House from 1978 until 1984 also serving as Assistant U. S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina from 1969 until 1973.  In 1984 Representative Coble was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and continues to serve.  He is a member of the Committee on Judiciary, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property and member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.  He is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Board of Visitors, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Representative Coble, a Korean War Veteran, served on active duty with the United Stated Coast Guard for 5 ½ years.  He then served 18 years with the Coast Guard Reserve.  His last reserve assignment was as Commanding Officer, USCG Reserve Unit, Wilmington, NC.  He retired from the Coast Guard Reserve as a captain (O-6).

 

J.D. Power, III, Businessman

 

Jack Dempsey, Professional Boxer

William Harrison Dempsey

Born June 24, 1895 - Died May 31, 1983

Jack Dempsey first started boxing professionally in 1914.  He first started boxing under the name of "Kid Blacky" and later boxed under the name of the "Manassa Mauler" after his home town of Manassa, Colorado.  Throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s he was extremely popular and is probably one of the most popular boxing champions of all times.  He knocked out Jess Willard in 1919 to win the heavyweight boxing title.  He lost the heavyweight boxing titles in 1926 to Gene Tunney.  He lost again in his second fight with Gene Tunney because of a long count.  He knocked Tunney down in the seventh round but because he did not go to a neutral corner immediately the referee delayed the count.  Tunney got up at the count of nine and went on to win the bout on a decision.  He retired from boxing afterwards.

Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey

[190513-G-G0000-2001]

During World War II Dempsey joined New York State National Guard and was given a commission as a first lieutenant.  He resigned that commission to accept a commission as a lieutenant in the Coast Guard Reserve.  He reported for active duty on 12 June 1942 at Coast Guard Training Station, Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York, where he was assigned as "Director of Physical Education."  He also made many personal appearances at fights, camps, hospitals and War Bond drives.  He was promoted to lieutenant  commander (temporary) in December 1942 and commander (temporary) in March of 1944.  In 1944 he was assigned to the transport USS Wakefield.  In 1945 he was on the attack transport USS Arthur Middleton for the invasion of Okinawa.  In July of 1945 he assigned to the Commander, 11th Naval District for assignment to Military Morale Duty.  He was released from active duty in September 1945.  

Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey

[190513-G-G0000-3001]

He was given an honorable discharge from the Coast Guard Reserve in 1952.

 

Jack Kramer, Tennis Professional

John Albert Kramer

Born 1921

Tennis great Jack Kramer was born in Las Vegas.  An outstanding player even in high school he won the U.S. National Doubles with Ted Schroeder in 1940 and 1941.  In 1942 he entered the Coast Guard and was commissioned an Ensign. The Coast Guard allowed him to continue to play tournament tennis and he entered the National Doubles again this time with Frank Parker and won in 1943.  He was discharged from the Coast Guard in 1946.  In the 1946 and 1947 seasons he led the team that won the Davis Cup. He also won the National Singles, the National Doubles again with Ted Schroeder, the British Singles and the British Doubles.  He turned professional in 1947 and won the Professional Singles in 1948, the World Professional Singles in 1949 and the World Professional Doubles with Bobby Riggs in 1949.  He began promoting tournaments in 1952 and retired from tennis in 1954 to continue the promotion of tournaments

 

Jacob A. Lawrence, Artist

1917-2000

Jacob Armstead Lawrence was born on 17 September 1917 in Atlantic City, NJ. After spending part of his youth in both Philadelphia and Easton, PA, his mother moved the family to Harlem. His arrival coincided with the great "Harlem Renaissance" of the 1920s and early 1930s. This area was the center of a vibrant artistic community that was greatly influenced by the emergence of African-American social consciousness.  It was his experiences during this time that shaped both his development and his future work as an artist.

A photo of Jacob Lawrence

Jacob Lawrence, later in his career.

[190513-G-G0000-2003]

Showing an interest in art, particularly the works of the Italian Renaissance painters, Lawrence received encouragement from his fellow artists in the community. He received his early training at the Harlem Art Workshops sponsored by the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) and he produced some of his first significant works while a member of the WPA Federal Art Project. Between 1937 and 1940 he painted a series of "multi-part narratives" of prominent figures in black history including Toussaint L’Ouverture, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman. This was followed by his renowned series entitled "The Migration of the American Negro" which depicted the post-World War I movement of Southern blacks in search of employment to the North. The Downtown Gallery first exhibited the series in November 1941 and Lawrence became nationally renown. Later the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Phillips Collection in Washington jointly purchased the series after Fortune published a number of the images. Around this time Lawrence also married his wife of 59 years, fellow artist Gwendolyn Knight.

In October 1943 Lawrence was drafted into the Coast Guard, then part of the Navy. As the armed services were still segregated, he, along with all African-American recruits, was automatically limited to the steward’s mate rate. After his basic training at Curtis Bay, MD he was assigned to the Ponce de Leon Hotel (commandeered by the Coast Guard) in St. Augustine, FL. Despite his rate, Lawrence was urged to continue his artistic endeavors by his commanding officer, CAPT J.S. Rosenthal. He was later transferred to USCGC Sea Cloud, the first integrated ship in the naval services. The ship’s skipper, LCDR (later CAPT) Carlton Skinner, knew of Lawrence’s prominence as an artist and helped him obtain a Public Relations Specialist (PR3) rate. As such, Lawrence documented life on board Sea Cloud. His series on the Coast Guard was displayed at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in 1944. Later transferred to USS General W.P. Richardson, he served as one of the service’s first combat artists. With the war’s end, he received an honorable discharge in December 1945. In his relatively short time in the service (26 months), Lawrence had created more than fifty works of art. Most of these works, however, were lost in the post-war demobilization. Though all that remained were some black and white photographs, the evocative quality of these paintings were still clearly visible.

Painting by Jacob Lawrence entitled Control Panel

"Control Panel" by Jacob Lawrence

[190513-G-G0000-9001]

With his discharge from the service, Lawrence continued his career as an artist. In 1946 he received a Guggenheim Post-Service Fellowship. With this award he produced his "War" series which depicted the emotional responses to the war. Throughout the remainder of his life, Lawrence continued to produce prodigiously. He was, for example, commissioned to paint murals for the Munich Olympic Games in 1972 and the Bicentennial in 1976, as well as covers for Time. He also joined the faculty of the University of Washington in Seattle. He died, after a long illness, at his home in Seattle on 19 June 2000. With his numerous paintings chronicling the African-American experience in spare, yet evocative fashion, Jacob Lawrence secured his stature as one of the most prominent American artists of the 20th century.

Painting by Jacob Lawrence entitled Landing Craft

"Landing Craft" by Jacob Lawrence

[190513-G-G0000-9002]

 

James J. "Big Jim" Walker, Head Coach, Central State (Ohio) University

 

Jeff Bridges, Actor

 

Jim "Shanty" Hegan, Professional Baseball Player & Coach

 

Jim Pollard, Professional Basketball Player (Minneapolis Lakers)

 

Jimmy Grier, Musician, Jazz Band Leader (worked with Rudy Vallee in the Coast Guard during World War II)

 

Joe Simon, Comic Book Artist, Writer & Editor (creator of "Captain America")

 

John F. DeCuir, Jr., Art Director, Production Designer

 

John Mariucci, Professional Hockey Player, National Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee

The name John Mariucci was synonymous with the growth of amateur and professional hockey in Minnesota for over 40 years. He was a player, coach, administrator, and promoter who was a major reason why the game spread faster in the Gopher state than anywhere else in the United States.

The native of Eveleth, Minnesota was a standout in hockey and football as a boy. He later excelled in both sports at the University of Minnesota. In 1940 he was named an all-American on the varsity hockey team while helping the gridiron squad win the NCAA national championship.

After graduating from college Mariucci played five NHL seasons with the Chicago Black Hawks. He was a solid defensive forward and combative team leader who served as captain twice. Mariucci didn't back down from any opponent and waged many a fierce battle with rugged "Black Jack" Stewart of the Detroit Red Wings. When his NHL days ended, Mariucci suited up for the St. Louis Flyers of the American Hockey League and the Minneapolis Millers of the United States Hockey League. During World War II Mariucci served in the United States Coast Guard. He also continued to play hockey as defenseman on the service's team, the Coast Guard Cutters, from 1942 to 1944.

As admirable a player as he was, Mariucci's true calling was as a coach and nurturer of talent. He took over as coach of the University of Minnesota hockey team and immediately declined to recruit players from Canada. An important part of this emphasis on home grown talent was a challenge sent out by Mariucci to high schools throughout the state to start their own programs and develop interest in their respective communities. Between 1952 and 1980 the number of high school teams grew from a handful to more than 150.

Mariucci produced several all-Americans at the university and expanded his own horizons by getting involved with international hockey. He coached the US Olympic team to the silver medal at the 1956 Cortina games. In 1967, he returned to the NHL with the expansion Minnesota North Stars as the assistant to general manager, a position he held until his death in 1987.

A charter member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Mariucci won the Lester Patrick award in 1977 for contributions to hockey in the United States. The University of Minnesota also paid tribute to him by renaming its ice hockey facility the Mariucci Arena.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985.

 

John Perry, Producer

 

Johnny Colan, Professional Boxer, Heavyweight

 

Jose "The Punisher" Perez, Jr., Boxer

 

K. Gunn McKay, former Congressman (UT)

 

Kai Winding, Musician

 

Lee Bonnell, Actor

 

Lew "Sweetwater Slinger" Jenkins, Professional Boxer & World Lightweight Champion

 

Lloyd Bridges, Actor

Lloyd BridgesBorn January 15, 1913 - Dies March 10, 1998

Lloyd Bridges was perhaps best known as the character Mike Nelson, the star of "Sea Hun" (1957-61).  Bridges was trained as a dramatic actor and appeard in such films as "High Noon" and "Unconquered" with Gary Cooper.  He found a niche for himself in comedy appearing in such spoofs as "Airplaine" and "Hot Shots".  He was caught up in Hollywood's Red Purge and was blacklisted from films until he appeared before the House un-American Activities Committee, which was probing communist influence in the film industry.  He was a member of Coast Guard Auxiliary in the 11th District and did a number of public serve announcements for the Coast Guard.  His son actor Beau Bridges was a member of the Coast Guard Reserve.

 

 

 

 

Lorin Michael, Director-Producer

 

Lothar Wolff, Producer, Director

 

Lou Ambers, Professional Boxer & World Light-Weight Boxing Champion

 

Lou Carnesecca, College Basketball Coach

Born 1925

Born 5 January 1925 in New York, NY, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946.  He graduated from St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens, NY and later returned to serve as head basketball coach from 1957 through 1970 and again from 1973 through 1992.  His record at St. John's was 526 wins and 200 losses.  He led every one of his St. John's teams to the postseason (18 NCAAs, six NITs) and compiled a 40-34 postseason record.  He had eighteen 20-win seasons at St. John's and averaged 22 wins a year.  Under Carnesecca, St. John's won 17 Lapchick Memorial Tournament Championships and eight ECAC Holiday Festival crowns.  On 2 February 1991 he became the 30th coach in history to win 500 games and 11th among active coaches.  He was twice voted National Coach of the Year by the USBWA and the NABC (1983, 1985).  He coached St. John's to the 1989 NIT championship over St. Louis University and was named Big East Conference Coach of the Year (1983, 1985, 1986).  He compiled a 112-65 record in Big East competition, won a regular season crown once and tournament championships in 1983 and 1986.  His 1985 St. John's team advanced to the Final Four.  The 1979 and 1991 teams competed in NCAA Regional Finals.  He was named Kodak NIT Man of the Year (1985) and Metropolitan Coach of the Year five times (1970, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986). Carnesecca also served as the head coach of the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association from 1970-1973.  During this tenure he led the Nets to the 1972 ABA finals. He is also enshrined in New York City Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame on 11 May 1992.

** Information obtained from the Basketball Hall of Fame.

 

Marlene Deitrich, Actress

1944

Screen actress Marlene Deitrich on USO tour with the Coast Guard at Narsarssuak, Greenland. L-R LT F. A. Shelton, LTJG H. C. White, LT L. C. Salsbury, ENS G. I. Kellogg, Marlene Deitrich, LTJG W. M. Braswell, CDR V. O. Johnson, CPO A. B. Wilchar. Photo courtesy of W. M. Braswell.

 

Michael Kilian, Author, Chicago Tribune Columnist, "Dick Tracy" Comic Strip Writer (Coast Guard Auxliarist)

 

Mike Barrier, Actor

"A Trek Into the Past"

Eleventh Coast Guard District legal officer LCDR Mike Barrier reminisces in Long Beach with a videotape of a "Star Trek" episode he appeared in, "Squire of Gothos".  Barrier, who in earlier times was a bona fide actor, appeared in three "Star Trek" episodes in 1967-68.  He gave up the acting life to enter law school, and after that joined the Coast Guard.  He's gotten a promotion since that time.  As a Coast Guard lieutenant commander, he outranks the character he played in the series, LT Vincent DeSalle.  If you're into reruns, you can also catch Barrier on the episodes "Cats Paw" and "This Side of Paradise".

He also had parts in "Mission Impossible", "Bonanza", "Gunsmoke", "Gomer Pyle", "The Untouchables", "Combat", Twelve O'Clock High", and "Ben Casey".  And he appeared in the feature films "The Satan Bug" and "Angel on My Shoulder".  Is he a Trekkie?  No.  He doesn't watch reruns on TV, and he's only seen two of the "Star Trek" movies - and he can't recall which two.

[The article was written by PAC Charlie Crosby, USCG.  It appeared in the #17-87 (Septembber 30, 1987) issue of the Commandant's Bulletin (page 42).]

 

Milton H. Bren, Producer ("Tars and Spars"), Writer, Director

 

Monte Markham, Actor, Producer

 

Nathan Mann, Professional Boxer, Heavyweight

 

Neal Gay, Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee

 

Nick Adams, Actor

Born July 10, 1931 - Died February 6, 1968

Actor Nick Adams, born in Berwick, Pennsylvania, known for his portrayal of a Confederate solier in the television series "The Rebel" enlisted in the Coast Guard as an able seaman in 1946.  Adams, who died of an apparent suicide, was extremely proud of his Coast Guard service and was a member of the VFW.

 

Otto Graham, Professional Football Player and Coach

July 26, 1922 - December 17, 2003

A photo of Otto Graham

Commander Otto Graham, the new U.S. Coast Guard Academy Athletic Director.  1959.

[190513-G-G0000-3003]

A college basketball and football player at Northwestern University, Otto Graham enrolled in the Navy's V-5 program during World War II.  After completing the program he was commissioned and received his wings as a naval aviator.  Graham served for two years.

He began his professional athletic career in 1946 when he was drafted by the newly formed Cleveland Browns.  In 1946 he also played basketball for the NBA Rochester Royals.  Graham retired from basketball that year but continued with the Browns until 1955.

In 1959 he was commissioned a commander in the Coast Guard and became the head football coach and athletic director at the Coast Guard Academy, positions he held for seven years.  In 1963 Commander Graham produced the first undefeated, untied team in the Academy's history.  In 1966 he became coach and general manager of the Washington Redskins.  He was promoted to captain in the Coast Guard Reserve at that time.  He returned to the Coast Guard as athletic director in 1970 and retired in 1985 with the rank of captain.  Captain Graham was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965, his first year of eligibility and is consistently ranked as one of the top passers of all time.

A photo of Otto Graham

Commander Graham receives his College Football Hall of Fame certificate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Superintendent Rear Admiral Stephen Evans.  No date.

[190513-G-G0000-3004]

 

Patrick Wayne, Actor

 

Perry Ellis, Fashion Designer

 

Peter R. J. Deyell, Actor, Writer, Makeup Artist, Producer, Director

 

Pluto, Cartoon, Actor

Mickey Mouse’s faithful pet dog.  He starred in 48 of his own cartoons, but also appeared along with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in many of their cartoons.  Pluto made his first appearance as a bloodhound in the cartoon "The Chain Gang" in 1930.  During World War II Pluto had the distinction of being able to serve not only in the Coast Guard but also the Navy and the Army Air Corps.  His service in the Coast Guard was as a beach patrol dog, and he appeared in the 1945 cartoon Canine Patrol.

 

Popeye, Cartoon Character

 

Preston Foster, Actor

Born 1900 – Died 1970

Born in Ocean City, New Jersey, Foster starred in a number of films including "I am a Fugitive From A Chain Gang", 1932, "Annie Oakley" 1935, "Guadalcanal Diary" 1943, "My Friend Flicka" 1943, "Kansas City Confidential" 1952, "Law and Order", 1953 and "Time Travelers", 1964.  In 1937 he appeared in "The Sea Devils" as a Coast Guardsman, who in competition with shipmate Donald Woods, woos the heart of Ida Lupino, daughter of a salty Coast Guard Chief Boatswain's Mate played by actor Victor McLaglen.  

Foster, an avid sailor, continued his close association with the Coast Guard, volunteering for the Temporary Reserve.  During World War II he rose to the rank of Captain, Temporary Reserve, and later became an honorary commodore in the Coast Guard Auxiliary with his close friend Duke Kahanamoku.

 

Ralph Weigel, Professional Baseball Player

 

Raymond Loewy, Industrial Designer (Designed USCG's racing stripe)

 

Richard Quine, Actor

Born November 12, 1920 – Died June 10 1989

Born in Detroit Michigan actor, writer, director, composer and producer, Richard Quine served as a Surfman with the Coast Guard during World War II.  He appeared in various films during his service as the Coast Guard allowed him to continue acting.  Some of the films he appeared in were "Jane Eyre" 1934, "A Dog of Flanders" 1935 "Stand By For Action" 1943 and "Command Decision" 1948.  Some of the films he served as producer for, were "Leather Gloves" 1948, which he also starred in, "Purple Heart Diary", 1951, "Three Gobs In Paris", 1954, "Solid Gold Cadillac", 1956, "Bell, Book and Candle", 1958, "The World of Suzie Wong", 1960, and "Sex and the Single Girl", 1964.  Besides producing these films he also was director.  He also directed a number of television series or shows including "Hec Ramsey", "Columbo", "Project UFO" and "The Prisoner of Zenda".  He died in 1989 after taking his own life.

 

Robert Horton, Actor

 

Robert Maurice Campbell, Producer, Director

 

Robert Stevens, Actor

 

Roland Hemond, Professional Baseball Player

 

Rube Marquard, Hall of Fame Professional Baseball Player

 

Rudy Vallee, Entertainer

Hubert Prior Vallee

Born July 28, 1901 – Died July 3, 1986

Musician and actor Rudy Vallee born in Vermont, grew up in Westbrook, Maine. He dropped out of High School to join the Navy in 1917, but was quickly discharged when it was discovered that he was underage. He studied saxophone, and clarinet and finished high school. Upon graduation he entered the University of Maine, and latter transferred to Yale where he played and sang with the Yale Collegians. It was with this group that his style of singing with a megaphone to project his voice was born. Upon graduation he formed the Connecticut Yankees and started playing at the Heigh-Ho Club in New York City. It was here that he used his radio introduction of "Heigh-Ho eveybody, this is Rudy Vallee speaking." The band was an instant success and was soon picked up to play on WABC Radio. It was in 1929 that Vallee did his first film "Vagabond Lover". It was also in 1929 that he was picked up for the Fleishchman’s Radio Music Hour and later the Sealtest Hour.

A photograph of Rudy Vallee

LT Rudy Vallee and an unknown SPAR.

[190513-G-G0000-3012]

In 1941 he enlisted in the Coast Guard to help direct the 11th district band as a Chief Petty Officer. Eventually he was promoted to Lieutenant and lead the 40 piece band to great success. In 1944 he was placed on the inactive list and he returned to radio. Besides his early films, he appeared in "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and "Won Ton Ton, The Dog That Saved Hollywood". He also played Lord Marmaduke Fogg on the Batman TV series.

A photograph of Rudy Vallee after his marriage

LT Rudy Vallee on his wedding day.

[190513-G-G0000-3013]

 

Sam Nunn, former Senator (GA)

Sam Nunn served as a U.S. Senator from Georgia for 24 years, from 1972 to 1996.  He then went on to become the co-chairman and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative.  He is a professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech and is the chairman of the board of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.  He also serves as the co-chairman of the Concord Coaltion.

Senator Nunn served on active duty with the Coast Guard and then served six years in the Coast Guard Reserve.

 

Sibby Sisti, Professional Baseball Player

 

Sid Caesar, Comedian

Born 1922

Actor, musician, and comedian Yonkers, New York born, Sid Caesar studied saxophone at the Julliard School of Music.  He played in a number of prominent Big Bands, including those led by Charlie Spivak, and Claude Thornhill.  In 1939 he joined the Coast Guard. Assigned to play in military shows, he showed his forte to show producer Max Liebman, by his ability to make other musicians laugh.  Liebman took him out of the orchestra and cast him as a comedian, jump-starting his career upon release from the Coast Guard in 1945.

Caesar made his television debut in a variety show named "Admiral Broadway Review’ and later renamed "Your Show of Shows", costarring comedian Imogene Coca.

The Coast Guard recently presented Mr. Caesar with a public service award during a celebration of his 80th birthday.  The citation read as follows:

"The Commandant of the United Stated Coast Guard takes great pleasure in wishing a joyous 80th birthday to Coast Guard veteran Sid Caesar and presenting to him this Coast Guard Certificate of Appreciation, in recognition of his public support of the Coast Guard, most notably in the early days of his career as an actor, musician and comedian and more recently as public spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard. Mr. Caesar joined the Coast Guard in 1939, after studying saxophone at the Julliard School of Music and playing in a number of prominent big bands. In the Coast Guard, he was assigned to play in military revues and shows, such as "Tars and Spars," but he showed a natural penchant for comedy by entertaining other band members with his improvised routines, prompting show producer Max Liebman to move him from the orchestra and cast him as a stand-up comedian to entertain troops, jump-starting his career upon his release from the Coast Guard in 1945. After leaving the Coast Guard, Mr. Caesar went on to perform his "war routine" in both the stage and movie versions of the revue, and continued under Liebman's guidance after the war, in theatrical performances in the Catskills and Florida, but he never forgot the service that launched his career. Mr. Caesar's performance distinguished the Coast Guard as an honorable and valuable service. Friends and acquaintances say he always kept the Coast Guard close to his heart, especially its hardworking enlisted members. Each and every time the Coast Guard asked Mr. Caesar for a favor, he came through for us, whether it was speaking before the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association or recording audio public service announcements for Coast Guard recruiting campaigns. His respect, admiration and fondness for our service shines bright. Mr. Caesar's years of generosity, concern and dedication to the Coast Guard family are deeply appreciated and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard and public service."

 

Sloan Wilson, Writer (The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit, among others)

Born May 8, 1920

Sloan Wilson, author of "The Man In The Grey Flannel Suit", one of the most influential novels about Madison Avenue advertising and life in "suburbia" during the 1950’s, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut.  A graduate of Harvard University, and an avid sailor and navigator, he joined the Coast Guard in 1942, following Pearl Harbor.  Commissioned a Reserve Ensign, Sloan Wilson first reported aboard the USS Tampa, CG on the Greenland Patrol.  Wilson was then given command of the trawler USS Nogak, CG.  His novel "Ice Brothers" is based on his experiences with the Nogak.

He then took command of the Coast Guard manned Army supply ship, USS FS-158 in the South Pacific. This experience is captured in his first novel, "Voyage To Somewhere."  He then commanded the Army tanker USS Y-14.  His experiences were penned into the novel "Pacific Interlude."

Following World War II Wilson went to work first as a reporter for the Providence Journal in Rhode Island, and then Time-Life until he became a full time writer.

Besides "The Man In The Gray Flannel Suit" and novels about his Coast Guard experiences, he wrote "A Summer Place", "A Sense of Values", "Away From It All", "All The Best People", "Georgie Winthrop", "Small Town", "What Shall We Wear To The Party" and "The Greatest Crime".

Sloan Wilson crossed the bar on 25 May 2003.

 

Tab Hunter, Actor

Born 1931

Tab Hunter was born in New York City as Arthur Andrew Kelm.  After his parents separated his mother took him to California and changed her son's last name to her maiden name Gelien.  He joined the Coast Guard at the age of fifteen, lying about his age to enlist.  While in the Coast Guard he gained the nickname "Hollywood" for his penchant for watching movies rather than going to bars while on liberty.  After his discharge he became a movie actor, starring in such films as "Island of Desire," "Battle Cry," "The Pleasure of His Company," "That Kind of Woman," "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean," and "Damn Yankees."  He also became a successful singer, releasing the number one hit "Young Love" in 1957.  Mr. Hunter also starred in numerous Broadway productions, such as Tennessee William's "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here" with Tallulah Bankhead, and television programs, including "Ellery Queen," "Benson," and "The Love Boat."

 

Ted Steele, Radio Personality, Song Writer & Band Leader

 

Ted Turner, Businessman

 

Thomas F. O'Neil, Executive

 

Thomas Farris, Professional Football Player (Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears)

 

Tim Burton, Musician ("Mighty Mighty Bosstones"); Coast Guard Auxiliarist

 

Tom Blake, Athete, Professional Surfer, Inventor & Author

1902-1994

Tom Blake was a legendary surfer and waterman.  He was a pioneer in the invention and refinement of surfing and lifesaving equipment.  His notable achievements would fill a book, and his impact on lifesaving continues today.  His inventions include the hollow surfboard, paddleboard, rescue torpedo, ring buoy (life ring), sailboard (windsurfer), surfboard fin, and waterproof camera housing.  Blake served in the U.S. Coast Guard for three years, during WWII.  He taught swimming, ocean rescue and munitions loading.

Biography written by Erik Westman, USCG

 

Tom Philpott, Editor, Navy Times Magazine

 

Tom Waits, Actor, Singer, Song Writer

 

Tommy Henrich, Professional Baseball Player

 

Vernon Duke, Composer, Song Writer ("Tars and Spars")

 

Victor Jory, Actor

Born 1902 – Died 1982

Actor who appeared as various villains in many of the "Hopalong Cassidy" feature films during the 1930’s and 40’s. During World War I he entered the Coast Guard and was both boxing and wrestling champion of the Coast Guard.

 

Victor Mature, Actor

Victor John Joseph Mature

Born January 29, 1913 – Died August 4, 1999

Leading Actor of the 40’s and 50’s, Victor Mature was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He was the son of a an Austrian/Greek scissors grinder who went on to a successful manufacturing business. Early in his youth Mature decided that he wanted acting as a career, much to the concern of his parents. His some 70 films include John Ford’s "My Darling Clementine" (1946), ‘Kiss of Death" (1947), "Samson and Delilah" (1949), "The Robe" (1954) and "The Egyptian" (1954).

A photo of Coast Guardsman Victor Mature.

Victor Mature

[190513-G-G0000-3007]

Mature enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1942 after trying to enlist in the Navy. The Navy told the actor he was color blind and wouldn’t enlist him, but the Coast Guard took more interest in the actor and had him re tested and enlisted him immediately. Mature enlisted as a seaman recruit and immediately reported to the Cutter Storis in Boston Harbor. Known in Hollywood as "beautiful hunk of man", his Coast Guard shipmates, who took an immediate liking to the unpretentious actor, dubbed him "hunk of junk". Mature worked hard, eventually working his way up to Chief Boatswain Mate. Between tours sea duty, Mature appeared at Bond rallies for the Coast Guard eventually starring in the Coast Guard show "Tars and Spars", a morale show which toured the country during WWII. After the war he returned to acting but made his mark in real estate. Always proud of his Coast Guard service the actor died of cancer in 1999.

A photo of Coast Guardsman Victor Mature

Victor Mature

[190513-G-G0000-3008]

He was quoted as saying: "I'm not an actor, and I have sixty-four pictures to prove it."

 

Walter Cronkite, Newscaster

Born 1916

Broadcast journalist, and CBS Evening News Anchor. Born in Saint Joseph, Missouri, he worked for local radio stations and newspapers while as a student attending the University of Texas at Austin.  He left college during his third year to work full-time at a newspaper.  He continued on in radio and became a correspondent for the United Press International.  During WWII he covered major battles in Europe and the Nurnberg War Criminal Trials.  When he returned from Europe he was hired by CBS for their television news department in Washington, D.C.  He later went on to anchor the "CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite"  After retiring from CBS Cronkite continued his association with CBS with special programs and as member of their board of directors.  An avid sailor, Cronkite is a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and is an honorary commodore.  His close association with sailing and love of the Coast Guard and Navy has him as a veteran commentator for various past Fleet Weeks and Operations Sails.

 

Walter Sande, Actor

Born 9 July 1906 – Died 22 November 1971

Actor who appeared in over 140 films including "Don Winslow of the Coast Guard," "Don Winslow of the Navy," "Woman on the Beach," "They Came to Blow-up America," "Adventures of Tugboat Annie," "Sergeant York," "Citizen Caine," and "The Farmer’s Daughter" and some 58 television appearances including "Gun Smoke," "Bonanza," and the "Wild, Wild, West."  In World War II he volunteered as a member of the Coast Guard Temporary Reserve.

 

Warren Covington, Musician, Band Leader (took over Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra)

 

William D. Delahunt, Congressman (MA)

Born 1941

Representative William D. Delahunt, first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, represents the Tenth Congressional District of Massachusetts.  He serves on the International Relations Committee and is a member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee and the Europe Subcommittee.  He also serves on the Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime.  He co-chairs the bipartisan Coast Guard Caucus and the Older Americans Caucus and also serves on the Democratic Steering Committee.

Representative Delahunt served in the Coast Guard Reserve from 1963 to 1971.

 

William F. "Bull" Halsey, Jr., Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy

 

William O. Harbach, Producer

 

Wynn Handman, Actor, Director & Founder of the American Place Theatre

 Beau Bridges, Actor

Lloyd Vernet Bridges III

Born December 9, 1941

The eldest son of Lloyd Bridges and brother of Jeff, enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve in 1959 and served 8 years.  His film credits include "The Fabulous Baker Boys", "Kissinger and Nixon", "Norma Rae", "Heart Like A Wheel", and "Without Warning: The James Brady Story".

 Douglas R. Clifford - Drummer for rock-n-roll band Creedence Clearwater Revival, and other bands. 
 Humphrey Bogart, Actor

1899-1957

Forever etched in the minds of movie aficionados as a silver screen "tough guy", Humphrey DeForest Bogart enlisted in the Navy in 1918.  He saw service as a coxswain aboard the troop transport USS Leviathian during World War I.  He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1919.  He began his acting career in 1922, appearing on stage in the play "Drifting".

He again served his country in World War II.  In 1943, he volunteered to travel with the USO to North Africa.  In 1944, Bogart volunteered his beloved yacht Santan (as well as himself) for service with the Coast Guard Temporary Reserve.  He reported for duty once a week at Balboa, using this time to meet with model turned actress, Betty "Lauren" Bacall.  Some films that he starred in were "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), "Casablanca" (1942), "To Have and Have Not" (1944, the film in which he met Lauren Bacall), "The African Queen" (1951 for which he won the Best Actor Oscar), and the "Caine Mutiny" (1954).  After his marriage to his third wife Mayo Mehot ended, he married Lauren Bacall in 1945.

Humphrey Bogart passed away in 1957.

 

 Wesley Jansen, Actor, SAG Member & Retired BM1