Chronology

1795

An unnamed African-American crewmen perished in the line of duty aboard the U.S. Revenue Cutter South Carolina. He was the first recorded African-American to die on board a cutter.

1812-1815

During the War of 1812, on 22 August 1812, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Barbados captured the U.S. Revenue Cutter James Madison off Charleston, South Carolina. Aboard the cutter were at least four African American slaves and three freedmen serving as part of the cutter’s crew. One freedman, Beloner Pault of Savannah, Georgia, a “Ship’s Lad,” was 15-years-of-age and is the youngest recorded POW in the history of the Revenue Cutter Service and modern Coast Guard.

1831

The Treasury Department ruled that the Revenue Service could employ free persons of color on board cutters as part of the crew.

1836

During the Seminole War, a band of Seminoles attacked the Cape Florida Lighthouse. Aaron Carter, a freedman who is variously identified as a maintenance man or as an assistant to the Assistant Keeper John Thompson, perished in the line-of-duty while defending his station. He is the first African-American Lighthouse Service employee to die in combat.

1865

Abraham Lincoln commissioned Michael A. Healy as a third lieutenant in the Revenue Service of the United States. He signed the commission on March 4, 1865. Healy was the first African American commissioned into the Revenue Service, the forerunner of today's Coast Guard. However, during his lifetime he was never "recognized as a person of color."

1870s

African American lighthouse keepers were assigned to the Upper Cedar Point Light Station in Maryland.

1870

William Roscoe Davis, an African American, was appointed as the Principal Keeper of the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse at Fort Monroe, where he served until 1878.
Willis Augustus Hodges, an African American, was appointed as the Night Inspector of the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. In May, 1870, he was appointed Principal Keeper at Cape Henry Lighthouse where he served for two months. [Information on W.R. Davis & W. A. Hodges was researched and published by Historian Jennifer Jones of the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society].

1876

On March 1, 1876, African American Surfman Jeremiah Munden went in harm’s way as part of the Outer Banks’ Jones Hill Life-Saving Station crew attempting to rescue the crew of the grounded Italian bark Nuova Ottavia. All of the surfmen were killed when the Italian ship’s crew scrambled onto the surfboat and capsized it in very heavy surf. Munden and the rest of the Jones Hill crew were the first U.S. Life-Saving Servicemen to die in the line-of-duty and Munden became the first African American surfman to give his life while participating in a rescue case attempting to save others.
In August 1876, William Major Parker, an African American, was appointed Second Assistant Keeper of the Assateague Lighthouse, in Virginia where he served until 1886 when he was promoted to First Assistant Keeper. In February 1886, he was appointed as the Principal Keeper of the Killock Shoal Lighthouse in Virginia. He died while on duty on 23 January 1912 and his wife then served in his place until a replacement was appointed in March 1912. [Information researched and published by Historian Jennifer Jones of the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society]

1877

First Lieutenant Michael Healy was appointed as the commanding officer of the Revenue Cutter Chandler. He was the first African American to command a vessel of the United States Government.

1880

Richard Etheridge was appointed keeper of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station, the first African American to command a major U.S. Government installation.

1881

Exum White, an African American, was appointed as the Assistant Keeper at Nansemond River Lighthouse in Virginia. He was promoted to Principal Keeper in 1882 and served until 1883. [Information researched and published by Historian Jennifer Jones of the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society]

1898

Congress awarded the crew of the Revenue Cutter Hudson, including Steward's Mate Savage and Cook Moses Jones, both African Americans, a silver medal for their actions in saving the Navy destroyer USS Winslow during a battle of the Spanish American War off Cuba.

1915

Lewis S. Wescott was the Officer-in-Charge of Station Pea Island when the U.S. Life-Saving Service merged with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service to create the Coast Guard, making Wescott the first African American to command a Coast Guard shore facility.

1920

Clarence Samuels enlisted in the Coast Guard as a seaman, second class. Samuels established a number of African American firsts during his 27-year career in the Coast Guard.

1928

BM1c Clarence Samuels assumed command of Coast Guard Patrol Boat AB-15, becoming the first African American to command a Coast Guard vessel since Michael Healy.
BMC George E. Pruden was the Officer-in-Charge at Station Pea Island.

1929

BM1 Clarence Samuels was appointed a Chief Quartermaster.

1939

On 12 May 1939 BMC Clarence Samuels was appointed as a Chief Photographer's Mate (Acting), becoming the first African American chief petty officer, the first African-American photographer in the Coast Guard and only the second Coast Guardsman to serve in that rating.
On 24 May 1939 Alex Haley enlisted in the Coast Guard.

1942

March, 1942 -- The Coast Guard recruited its first 150 black volunteers, who underwent basic training at Manhattan Beach, New York. Over 5,000 African-Americans served as Coast Guardsmen in WWII, about 965 of whom were petty or warrant officers.
May, 1942 -- The Coast Guard began accepting African-Americans to serve in other capacities besides the rates of Stewardsmate or Messman. The first recognized Coast Guardsman to make the transition was Oliver T. Henry. He served as a Steward aboard USCGC Northland on the Greenland Patrol but was a recognized and accomplished mechanic. He requested a transfer of rating and successfully made the transition to Motor Machinist's Mate while on board Northland.
On 1 September 1942 Joseph C. Jenkins was given a temporary promotion to Warrant Officer (Boatswain); becoming the first African American warrant officer in the Coast Guard.

1943

February 1943 -- Louis C. Etheridge, Jr. and an all-African American gun crew on board CGC Campbell played a key role in sinking the German submarine U-606. Etheridge was later awarded a Bronze Star and a Letter of Commendation from the Commandant for his heroic actions.
On 14 April 1943 Joseph C. Jenkins graduated as Ensign in the Coast Guard Reserve, becoming the first commissioned African American officer in the Coast Guard and the first to graduate from Officer Candidate School at the Coast Guard Academy.
On 1 June 1943 the U.S. Coast Guard promoted Warrant Officer Clarence Samuels to Lieutenant, Junior Grade, making him the first African American officer to reach that rank in the Coast Guard.
December, 1943 -- USS Sea Cloud became the first fully integrated warship (officers and enlisted) of the U.S. Fleet while under the command of CDR Carleton Skinner, USCGR. The warship remained in commission through 1945.
Stewardsmate Jacob Lawrence, a noted and respected artist before the war, served o board USS Sea Cloud. He was formally appointed as a Combat Artist, becoming the first African American to serve in such a capacity. He published his first painting, Another Patrol, from his War Series Collection in 1946.

1944

The Coast Guard reported as of 29 January 1944 that there were 3596 African Americans serving with the Coast Guard in "Foreign and Domestic Duty" both at sea and ashore.
Lieutenant, Junior Grade Clarence Samuels became the first African American to command a "major" ship since Michael Healy and the first to achieve command during wartime when he assumed command of the Light Vessel No. 115.
Ensign Harvey Russell became the first African American graduate of Coast Guard Officer Candidate School
On 27 September 1944 Clarence Samuels was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. After the war he reverted back to the enlisted ranks and retired as a Chief Boatswain's Mate in 1947.

1945

The first five African American women entered the SPARs: Olivia Hooker, D. Winifred Byrd, Julia Mosley, Yvonne Cumberbatch, and Aileen Cooke.

1948

President Harry Truman ordered the integration of the armed forces of the United States with Executive Order 9981, signed July 26, 1948. By this time the Coast Guard had already opened up all of its rates to all qualified persons regardless of race. The Coast Guard noted "the importance of selecting men for what they are, for what they are capable of doing, and insisting on good conduct, good behavior, and good qualities of leadership for all hands. . . .As a matter of policy Negro recruits receive the same consideration as all others." [Quote from Bernard C. Nalty & Morris J. MacGregor, Blacks in the Military - Essential Documents (Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources Ince., 1981), pp. 233-234.]

1949

James W. Parks became the first African American Gunner's Mate in the Coast Guard when he advanced to GM3/c on April 16, 1949. He became the first Coast Guard African American Chief Gunner's Mate when he was advanced to GMC on November 1, 1956, and the first Senior Chief Gunner's Mate on April 1, 1965. He retired from the Coast Guard after twenty years honorable service in 1967.

1954

On 30 March 1954, R. W. Goehring, the Chief of the Coast Guard's Statistical Services Division, reported to the Chief, Public Information Division that the ". . .number of negro persons currently serving among the active personnel of the Coast Guard" were one commissioned officer, one warrant officer and 630 enlisted men.

1955

Javis Wright, Jr., became the first African American to be appointed to the Coast Guard Academy. Due to health reasons, he was unable to graduate.

1956

James W. Parks became the first Coast Guard African American Chief Gunner;s Mate when he was advanced to GMC on November 1, 1956 and the first Senior Chief Gunner's Mate on April 1, 1965. He retired from the Coast Guard after twenty years of honorable service in 1967.

1957

Bobby C. Wilks became the first African American Coast Guard aviator (Coast Guard aviator No. 735). He later became the first African American to reach the rank of Captain and the first to command a Coast Guard air station. He accumulated over 6,000 flight hours in 18 different types of aircraft. He was also the project officer for the Sikorsky HH-3 helicopter when they were first delivered in the 1960s.

1961

On 20 January 1961, while viewing his inaugural parade, President John F. Kennedy noticed that there were no African Americans in the Coast Guard Academy cadet unit marching in the parade. He told his speechwriter, Richard Goodwin, "That's not acceptable. Something out to be done about it." Goodwin called Secretary of the Treasury C. Douglas Dillon the next day and Dillon ordered the Academy "to scrutinize the Academy's recruitment policy to make sure it did not discriminate against blacks." [As quoted in Nicholas Bryant's The Bystander: John F. Kennedy and the Struggle for Black Equality (New York: Basic Books, 2006), pp. 211-212.] Dillion assigned his Special Assistant, Theodore L. Eliot, Jr., to research the issue.
As part of the follow-up to President Kennedy's order to do something "about it" Mr. Theodore L. Eliot, Jr., Special Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation Douglas Dillion, reported to Mr. Richard Goodwin at The White House on 25 January 1961 that: "In response to your telephone inquiry of this morning, I have obtained the following information from Rear Admiral Henry J. Wuensch, Chief of the Office of Personnel, U.S. Coast Guard. . ." that the numbers of African Americans in the Coast Guard at this time were 1 officer (this was Lieutenant Bobby Wilks, USCG -- he was one out of a total of 2,900 commissioned officers in the Coast Guard); 9 warrant officers (out of a total of 1,000 warrant officers in the Coast Guard) and 732 enlisted personnel (out of a total of 27,000 enlisted personnel in the Coast Guard). Mr. Eliot reported that there were no African American cadets at the Coast Guard Academy. He also reported that: "There is no distinction made in the Coast Guard on the basis of race, creed or color." [MEMORANDUM FOR MR. RCHIARD GOODWIN, THE WHITE HOUSE, January 25, 1961; scanned copy via JFK Presidential Library.]
Robert A. Wallace, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury, reported to Fred Dutton, Cabinet Secretary at The White House, that the Coast Guard Academy hired its first African American faculty member, Mr. W. D. Waller, who had a master's degree from Howard University. Mr. Waller was hired as the Assistant Professor of Chemistry.

1962

YNC (CRXI) Frank Cook Sanders became the first African American to be selected as a Coast Guard Intelligence and Law Enforcement Agent. In 1968, he was designed as a Marine Investigating Officer while serving with MIO San Francisco. Chief Sanders retired from the Coast Guard in 1968 and went on to another distinguished career, this time with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, retiring in 1988.
Coast Guard veteran Harvey C. Russell, Jr. became the first African American to break the corporate color barrier when he became Vice President of Corporate Planning for Pepsi.

1963

John G. Witherspoon first enlisted in the Coast Guard. During his distinguished career he rose to the rank of Captain and established a number of historic African American "firsts". The Coast Guard's Captain John G. Witherspoon Inspirational Leadership Award is named in his honor.

1966

Merle Smith became the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

1967

CS1 Edward A. Denmon was assigned to CG Recruiting Command after returning from a combat tour aboard CGC Halfmoon in Vietnam. He is credited with coining the slogan "If You Have What It Takes, Take the Coast Guard" and became the first African American Coast Guardsmen to appear in published recruiting pamphlets and posters.

1968

1 October 1968 -- GMCM Eddie Green became the first African American Master Chief Gunner's Mate in the Coast Guard.
On 22 November 1968 the Coast Guard published Commandant Instruction 1001.20 "Direct commission for minority group procurement and guidance specialists" that established "a program offering direct commissions in the Coast Guard Reserve for active duty to qualified minority group procurement and guidance specialists."
On 17 December 1968 the Coast Guard issued a news release that stated "The U.S. Coast Guard has announced plans to offer qualified minority group applicants direct commissions as officers in the Coast Guard Reserve. Depending on age and qualifications, 16 successful applicants will be offered commissions ranging from ensign to lieutenant commander."

1969

On 5 September 1969 the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's Public Information Office issued a news release [No. 201-69] stating that "A conference of new Coast Guard recruiting officers -- primarily minority group representative -- concluded at the Coast Guard Academy here yesterday, after a two-day meeting. A total of 22 officers . . .attended the conference. . .Fourteen of the 22 officers attending the meeting were recently commissioned in the Coast Guard Reserve through a special program for a limited number of outstanding minority group representatives. They are college graduates who were selected to serve in recruiting billets for the Coast Guard. . .the direct commission group aims specifically at spreading the word on Coast Guard opportunities among minority groups." The news release also noted that: "There are currently 27 minority group cadets in the Academy's 925-man corps of cadets. Included are 16 Black Americans, 7 Oriental Americans, and 4 Spanish Americans."

1970

On 14 January 1970 the Coast Guard published Headquarters Instruction 12713.2 - "Procedures Governing Submission of Complaints of Discrimination" and with it announced the appointment of the first Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor at Headquarters, Ms. Irene M. Beckwith.

1971

July 1971 -- HMCM Clarence Sheffield was advanced to HMCM, becoming the first African American HMCM in the Coast Guard. When the rating was changed to HS on 1 October 1983, he was still the only African American "HSCM" in the Coast Guard.

1972

July, 1972 -- LT London Steverson, the Coast Guard Academy's second African American graduate, became the chief of the newly formed Minority Recruiting Section in Washington, D.C. During his assignment, he led the largest minority officer recruiting effort (recorded at the time) by recruiting more than 50 minority Coast Guard Academy cadets in a two-year period from 1973 to 1974.

1974

The first class of women to undergo recruit training for the active-duty enlisted force, Recruit Company Sierra-89 (all women), graduated from TRACEN Cape May after successfully completing 10-weeks of basic training. Among the 30 women graduates was Veronica Lynn Stanley, an African American. She therefore became the first African American female to graduate from basic training and enter the active-duty enlisted force.
Allen L. Thompson, Jr. graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. His son, Allen L. Thompson, III graduated from the Academy in 1998. They were the first African American father and son graduates of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Samuel E. Burton was the first African American lawyer in the Coast Guard. He began his service as a Direct Commission Lieutenant on July 10, 1974, and retired as a Captain.

1975

On 5 June 1975 ENS Thomasania Montgomery and ENS Linda Rodriguez graduated from Coast Guard Officer Candidate School, Yorktown, VA, thereby becoming the first African American female commissioned officers in the Coast Guard.

1976

Cheryl Avery became the Coast Guard's first African American female lawyer.
SK1 Magdalene Cobb, who enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve/SPARs in 1974, set up the first data base for Buoys and Day boards for the 8th Coast Guard district in 1976. She was also the first woman programmer in AMVER New York 1978 and has been credited for setting up the first computer system for Support Center New York.

1977

Bobby C. Wilks became the first African American to be promoted to the rank of Captain.
SN Wanda Jeffries became the first African American woman to be permanently assigned to and serve aboard a Coast Guard cutter when she was assigned to the CGC Morgenthau in October 1977. A total of twenty-four women (20 enlisted, 4 officers) were assigned sea duty that year aboard Morgenthau and Gallatin, a first in CG history.

1978

Manson K. Brown became the first African American to command the cadet brigade in the 101-year history of the Coast Guard Academy.
AT2 Weldon "Diz" Rease became the first African American Navigator stationed at Air Station Kodiak.

1979

MK2 Ralph Berry becomes the first African American Coast Guard male to graduate from the Navy Dive and Salvage Center in Panama, Florida.
SN Zorenia B. Simmons was the first African American female to work as a Coast Guard Security Officer while stationed at Coast Guard Support Center Boston.
SN Bonita V. Life was the first African American female assigned to strike as a Hospital Corpsman while stationed at Coast Guard Support Center Boston.

1980

Petty Officer Otis Tukes was the first African American Coast Guardsman to receive training at the Culinary Institute of America in the Coast Guard's equivalent to the Navy's White House Program of Chef Training and Service.
Coast Guard Academy Athletic Director Otto Graham appointed Hallie Gregory, the Academy's assistant track and basketball coach, as the Academy's head track coach, making Gregory the first African American head coach in the history of the Academy.
Petty Officer Flora E. Randolph was the first African American female to work in the AMVER center on Governor's Island, NY. She later became the first African American female assigned at AIRSTA Savannah.
YN1 Donnie Harris was the first African American Coast Guard Clerk of the Court.

1981

On 1 March 1981 Edith S. Brown became the first African American female to be advanced to E-7.
SN Cecelia M. (Oakes) Stoutamire became the first African American woman to be assigned to an icebreaker when she reported aboard CGC Glacier in 1981. She also became the first African American woman to participate in an Operation Deep Freeze cruise while aboard, participating with Glacier during Operation Deep Freeze 1981.

1983

Angela Dennis and Daphne Reese became the first African American female graduates of the Coast Guard Academy.
Mr. Walter Somerville became the first African American member of the Senior Executive Service in the Coast Guard when he assumed the duties of Director of Civil Rights.

1988

LTJG John T. Broadway became the first African American Officer-in-Charge of a LEDET when he took command of Group Cape Hatteras LEDET in September 1988.
Pamela Autry was promoted to EMC, making her the first African American woman to advance to E-7 in any of the enlisted engineering ratings.
HSCM Clarence Sheffield assumed the mantle of the enlisted (Silver) Ancient Mariner, the enlisted person with the earliest date of qualification as a Cutterman. He was the second man to receive the recognition and the first African American to be so honored.
CDR Merle Smith and LCDR London Steverson became the first African American Coast Guard Academy graduates to retire from the Coast Guard. CDR Smith (Class of 1966) was the first African American graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, while LCDR Steverson (Class of 1968) was the second African American graduate of the Academy.

1989

Cheri Ben-lesau became the first African American female ASM.

1990

Then-SK1 Mary Fowlkes, USCGR, was the first African American woman to deploy to the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm. She was assigned to PSU 303. She later advanced to SKCM in 2009.

1991

MCPO Stephen Spencer became the first African American Command Master Chief in the Coast Guard.
CWO4 (F&S) Lavonia Bass, USCGR, became the first African American woman to be promoted to CWO in the Coast Guard Reserve when she was promoted to CWO2 in June 1991.

1992

YN1 Yvonne Daniel became the Coast Guard Band's first permanently assigned African American Vocalist.

1994

On 1 July 1994 Veronica Jones Sharpe retired from active duty after 20 years and 17 days, along with Vonetta McKee. They were the first active-duty African American women to retire with 20 years of service.
First African American female AE was Diane Perry.

1995

Doris Hull became the first active-duty African American female to be promoted to Warrant Officer in the Coast Guard.
LT Ricky Sharpe became the first African American commanding officer of a TACLET when he took command of TACLET Gulf. In August 1995, one of his LEDETs, under the command of LTJG Robert Landolfi out of Mobile, seized the F/V Nataly I when the team discovered 24,325 pounds of cocaine hidden on board, making this the largest U.S. maritime seizure of cocaine to that date.

1997

EMCS Pamela Autry became the first African American woman to be selected as a command senior chief in the Coast Guard.
MED4 Kristopher D. McGhee, USCG, an African American Health Service's Technician, became the first HS to be assigned to law enforcement duty, attend what was formerly known as the Maritime Law Enforcement School, and become a boarding officer, Deployable Team Leader, and a host of other first and other significant accomplishments while stationed at PACAREA Law Enforcement Team from 1997-2002. He became the first HS to serve as a law enforcement instructor, team leader and SEOPS instructor. In 2007 he commissioned to CWO and was tasked with establishing the medical division for the National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, WV.

1998

Erroll M. Brown became the first African American Flag officer in the Coast Guard. Click here for more information on Admiral Brown.
Vincent Patton, III, became the first African American Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard and the eighth person to serve in that office. He originally enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1972 and served afloat and ashore during his illustrious career. He retired in 2002. Click here for more information on Master Chief Patton.
Allen L. Thompson, III graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. His father, Allen L. Thompson, Jr. graduated from the Academy in 1974. They were the first African American father and son graduates of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

1999

YNCS Angela McShan became the first African American to become an instructor at the Chief Petty Officer's Academy.

2000

EMCM Isaac "Ike" Davis became the first African American Rating Force Master Chief (RFMC) when he became the EM RFMC in 2000.
Angela McShan became the first African American woman to advance to Master Chief.
Lucille "Pam" Thompson became the first African American woman to serve as a Coast Guard Special Agent. She served as a Special Agent from July 2000 to July 2004.
RADM Erroll M. Brown became the first African American District Commander when he took command of District Thirteen.
GM3 Tajuana Usry became the first African American woman to receive the Small Arms Instructor (SAI) designation.
LT Nicole Carter was the first African American woman officer to receive a permanent Cutterman's Pin.
Jacqueline James became the first Black woman to graduate from the Coast Guard Academy with an engineering degree. "James [was] from St. Vincent and was an international student. She made several contributions in the academic and athletics arenas while a student and later as [a] Civil Engineer at the USCGA."

2001

ENS Andrea Parker became the first African American woman to graduate with an engineering degree from the Coast Guard Academy.
CDR Sharon Donald-Baynes became the first African American woman to command an operations ashore unit when she took command of Group Lower Mississippi River based in Memphis, TN.

2002

The YNCM Angela McShan Inspirational Leadership Award was named in Master Chief Angela McShan's honor.

2003

On 16 May 2003 LT Greg Duncan became the first African American Coast Guard officer to successfully complete the scuba diver course at the Navy Dive and Salvage Center in Panama, FL.

2004

LCDR Rhonda Fleming-Makell retired from the Coast Guard. She was the first African American female Coast Guard officer to earn a 20-year retirement. Click here for her biography.
CDR (then-LCDR) Gerard A. Williams, USCG (Ret.) became the first African American to command an MSST when he took command of MSST 91102 (Chesapeake) in 2004.
LCDR Louvenia A. McMillan became the first African American female Intelligence Officer in 2004, the first African American female Field Intelligence Support Team Leader that same year, and the first African American female to hold the Advanced Boat Force Operations Insignia in 2007.
Lisa Spotwood became the first African American female Master Chief Food Service Specialist when she was advanced to E-9 in August 2004.
On 16 July 2004, Ky L. McElrath graduated from IT “A” School with Class 07-04. He became the first IT “A” School graduate and African American IT “A” School graduate to advance to Master Chief. He later became the first African American to assume the duty of the IT Rating Force Master Chief (IT RFMC) on 2 October 2023.

2005

On 24 June 2005 LTJG Jeanine McIntosh-Menze was awarded her wings at a ceremony at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, after completing training there. She was the first African American female Coast Guard aviator. Click here for more information and photographs of the ceremony.

2006

CWO2 Apple G. Pryor, assigned as the Main Propulsion Assistant onboard the CGC Boutwell, was the first African American female Naval Engineering Chief Warrant Officer of the Coast Guard.
DCCM Amritt A. Villa assumed the 7th Silver mariner title in 2006, making him the second African American Silver Mariner.
LT Rachel Lewis was the first African American female officer to serve aboard CGC Eagle as Command Cadre (Operations Officer), 2006-2008.

2007

Then-BM1 Malia Chasteen became the first African American woman Executive Petty Officer, afloat or ashore, when she was assigned as XPO aboard CGC Pike. Pike was homeported in San Francisco, California.
On 1 February 2007 Glenda Smith-Leeth became the first African American female active-duty Master Chief Storekeeper.
On 12 March 2007 RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (Ret.) started his job as Chief Usher at the White House. He was the first African American to hold the position. RADM Rochon served his last day on active duty with the Coast Guard on 9 March 2007.
Mary Cunningham became the first African American woman and the first active-duty female to make Chief Damage Controlman when she was advanced from DC1 to DCC on August 1, 2007. She was advanced to Senior Chief in 2012.
LCDR Louvenia A. McMillan became the first African American female to hold the Advanced Boat Force Operations Insignia.
On 25 September 2007 AMT2 Katrina Cooley became the first African American female HH-65 Flight Mechanic.

2008

On 7 August 2008 CDR Adrian L. West assumed command of Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Galveston, becoming the second and currently only African American to command an MSST.
On 30 June 2008 Petty Officer Randall W. Purdy was selected to serve as the first African American Dropmaster/Loadmaster Examiner for the HC-130H Standardization Team attaining the highest aircrew designation in Coast Guard aviation.
ENS DeCarol Davis was Valedictorian of the Coast Guard Academy Class of 2008. She was the first African American female to earn that honor.

2009

LT Felicia Thomas took command of CGC Pea Island on June 19, 2009, thereby becoming the first African American female Commanding Officer of a Coast Guard cutter.
LT Carrie Wolfe and LT Olivia Grant became the first African American female Engineering Officers on a major cutter when they reported aboard CGC Spencer and CGC Venturous respectively in the summer of 2009.
Then-ENS Chanel Lee was the first African American woman assigned to flight school after graduating from the Coast Guard Academy in 2009. She was the first African American woman to fly MH-60 helicopters for the Coast Guard as of February 2012. And with her assignment in May 2017, she became the first African American woman ever designated as an Aeronautical Engineer in the Coast Guard. She is the recipient of the Women of Color Science Technology Engineering and Math Award, and she continues to demonstrate immense dedication to the service and the members who serve with her.
LTJG Miguel Augustin was recognized as the 2009 Leon Y. McGaughey Adult Military Learner of the Year by the Commission on Military Education and Training, the first member of the U.S. Coast Guard and the first African-American Coast Guardsman to receive this award. He also received an honorable mention as the 2009 Coast Guard Collateral Duty Education Service Officer of the Year.
SKCM Mary Fowlkes was the first African American female to reach SKCM in the Coast Guard Reserves.
Cadet 1/c Jacqueline Fitch became the first African American female Regimental Commander at the Coast Guard Academy.

2010

Manson K. Brown became the first African American Vice Admiral and the first Area Commander when he was promoted to Vice Admiral and given command of the Pacific Area.
On 9 April 2010 LTJG La'Shanda Holmes became the first African American female helicopter pilot in the Coast Guard.
On 10 July 2010 Otis E. Harris, Jr., was appointed as the Coast Guard's first African American Special Agent-In-Charge. He was assigned to the Chesapeake Region, Portsmouth, VA.
AMT2 Katrina Cooley became the first African American female Drop Master.

2012

On 21 March 2012 LTJG Shaka Hill became the Coast Guard's first African American to obtain the military Diving Officer qualification after completing the six (6) month U.S. Army Marine Engineer Diving Officer (MEDO) MEDO course. He went on to serve as the Command Diving Officer at Regional Dive Locker East.

2013

OSCM Adowa Hendricks became the first African American female Master Chief Petty Officer in the Operations Specialty Rating (as of April 1, 2013).
CDR Michelle Renee Watson became the first African American female to command a PSU.
CDR Lexia Littlejohn became the first African American female Coast Guard Academy graduate to reach the rank of O-5 when she was promoted on August 1, 2013.

2014

On 1 September 2014 GMC Tajuana Usry became the first African American female Chief Gunnersmate.

2015

RADM Erica Schwartz became the first African American flag officer of the U.S. Public Health Service to serve in the Coast Guard.
On 1 January 2015 Otis E. Harris, Jr. was appointed as the Coast Guard's first African American Assistant Director for the Coast Guard Investigative Service. He was assigned to USCG Headquarter, Washington, DC.
On 1 March 2015 Nicole M. Carter was the first African American female Coast Guard Academy alumni/graduate to retire from the Coast Guard.
On 12 March 2015 former SPAR Dr. Olivia J. Hooker became the first female African American to have a Coast Guard facility named in her honor.
On 1 September 2015 CAPT Lucinda Cunningham became the first female African American to be promoted to the rank of Captain. CAPT Cunningham is also the first woman in any military service to command a military ceremonial honor guard unit.

2016

On 8 July 2016 CDR Zeita Merchant took command of Marine Safety Unit Chicago, becoming the first African American female to command a Prevention/Marine Safety Unit/Office.
OSCM Adowa Hendricks became the first African American female to be selected to a District Command Master Chief (Gold Badge) position, becoming the Command Master Chief of the 5^th Coast Guard District.
YNCM Rashaun Morris, USCGR, became the first African American female to be selected as Reserve Command Master Chief. She was the Reserve Command Master Chief for the First Coast Guard District.

2017

BMC Malia Chasteen took command of CGC Tackle in Rockland, Maine, becoming the first African American female to become an Officer-In-Charge of either an afloat or ashore unit.
LTJG Tiarra McDonald became the first African American female Cyber Officer in the Coast Guard.

2018

The Coast Guard awarded the CAPT DAVID H. JARVIS Award to CDR Zeita Merchant. She was the first African American woman to win this prestigious award.
CMC Adwoa Hendricks became the first African American female CMC Area Gold Badge.
The Coast Guard Academy Class of 2018 graduated its largest group of African American graduates (18) in history on May 23, 2018.
The Coast Guard Academy Class of 2018 graduated its largest group of African American women (5) in history on May 23, 2018.

2019

On 21 February 2019 LT Ronaqua Russell, a native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, became the first African American female aviator in the Coast Guard to receive the Air Medal.
During the summer of 2019 CAPT Lexia Littlejohn became the first African American female graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy to achieve the rank of O-6 and became the first to assume the command of a Sector.
On 2 December 2019 MCPO Rekiya Janssen became the first African American female to achieve the rate of E-9 in the MK rating.

2022

On 24 June 2022 CAPT. Rachel Lewis took command of Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center Pacific (MIFCPAC), becoming the first African American and first African American female to command a Coast Guard Intelligence Command.

2023

On 2 October 2023, ITCM Ky McElrath became the first African American to assume the duty of the IT Rating Force Master Chief (IT RFMC). He previously became the first IT “A” School graduate and African American IT “A” School graduate to advance to Master Chief. He graduated from IT “A” School on 16 July 2004 with Class 07/04.

ADDENDUM

CAPT Joseph H. Jones, USCG: First African-American to Pre-Com a cutter -- PRECOMDET NEAH BAY -- Portsmouth, VA; First African-American to command a 140-foot ice breaking tug in the Great Lakes --- NEAH BAY; First African-American to command a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter -- CGC RELIANCE in New Castle, NH; First African-American to Command a 378-foot High Endurance Cutter -- CGC DALLAS in New York, NY. Also, he had command of three cutters, XO, OPS, DWO -- assigned to 6 cutters: OWASCO -- HEC; VIGOROUS --WMEC; NEAH BAY -- WTGB; UNIMAK -- WHEC; RELIANCE -- WMEC; DALLAS -- WHEC; First African-American to be assigned as Executive Assistant to an Assistant Commandant; First African-American to be assigned as the chief of operations of a CG District; First African-American tactics officer at the USCGA; First O-6 CG-man in the Defense Attaché System; First African-American as an attaché in Liberia -- (where I also served although I [CAPT Jones] served in the Security Assistance part of the Mil Mission there).
CWO Melvin W. Williams Jr., USCG (Ret.) was the first African-American male to make Chief in the rating of then-Aviation Survivalman (ASM) and then from ASMC to Chief Warrant Officer (CWO2) before retiring. While serving as an ASM1, he was credited with the development of the Float Strobe Light. He was the first African American male to make parachute jumps at NAS Lakehurst while undergoing Parachute Rigger training in the CG transition of combining CG Aviation Ordnancemen with CG Aviation Parachute Rigger, performed three CPRs, rigged loaded, and dropped the ADAPT system, nighttime helo rescue of two missing divers with the aid of the Night Sun CGAS Miami. He was awarded the Sikorsky Winged "S" on February 23, 1974 for rescues flying in CG HH-52s stationed at CG Air Station Miami.
In 2015, LCDR Lee Stenson became the first African American to achieve World Tae Kwon Do Federation Master Instructor level in Tae Kwon Do while serving on active duty with the Coast Guard.

Special thanks to:

Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society
Historian Joan Collins & Pea Island Preservation Society
Shameen E. Anthanio-Williams, USCG
Dr. Dennis Noble, USCG (Ret.)
MCPOCG Vince Patton, USCG (Ret.)
Truman Strobridge
Dr. William Thiesen
GMCM William R. Wells, II, USCG (Ret.)
SK1 Deirdre Green, USCG (Ret.)

Updated: 07/08/2024