Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: The First Lady Harriet Lane and WMEC-903

A rare photograph showing James Buchanan and Harriet Lane on the far left, with President James Polk, his wife, and Dolley Madison in the center. (Eastman House)The U.S. Coast Guard has been blessed by the participation of many determined, skilled and courageous women. One such individual was Harriet Rebecca Lane. Just over 160 years ago, at a time

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Edgar Culbertson

Portrait of Petty Officer 1st Class Edgar Culbertson. U.S. Coast Guard photo." data-image-description="Portrait of Petty Officer 1st Class Edgar Culbertson. U.S. Coast Guard photo."

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Maurice Jester

The Coast Guard recently released the names of the newest Fast Response Cutters to be commissioned. Each FRC is named after a Coast Guard hero. One such Coast Guardsman is Maurice Jester.

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Fred Mann, Silver Star Medal hero of Guadalcanal

For conspicuous gallantry while attached to the USS George Elliott in action against Japanese forces off Guadalcanal August 8, 1942. Silver Star Medal Citation, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Frederick Mann

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Revenue cutter operations in the Mexican-American War

) Illustration of the Tabasco River Fleet in 1846. (Source unknown)" data-image-description=") Illustration of the Tabasco River Fleet in 1846. (Source unknown)" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}"

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: USS Serpens—the Coast Guard’s greatest loss

“I felt and saw two flashes after which only the bow of the ship was visible. The rest had disintegrated and the bow sank soon afterwards.” – Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Perry Stinson, USS Serpens commanding officerThe quote above refers to the Coast Guard-manned USS Serpens. Nearly 73 years ago on Jan. 29, 1945, a catastrophic explosion destroyed the

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: USS Big Horn – the Coast Guard’s “Q-Ship”

An American periscope photograph of USS Big Horn on its first weather patrol. Only one of five big guns are visible from a submarine perspective; four of them hide behind false bulkheads. Photo courtesy of Coast Guard retired Cmdr. Douglas L. Jordan.During World War II, the U.S. Navy operated a number of armed merchant ships or “Q-ships” in the

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: A history of African-Americans in Coast Guard combat

This image shows minority Lt. j.g. Joseph Jenkins and Lt. j.g. Clarence Samuels aboard Coast Guard operated USS Sea Cloud in the North Atlantic in World War II. Coast Guard photo." data-image-description="This image shows minority Lt. j.g. Joseph Jenkins and Lt. j.g. Clarence Samuels aboard Coast Guard operated USS Sea Cloud in the North Atlantic

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: African-American Coast Guard achievements and diversity highlights of the last century

Capt. Bobby Wilks was the first minority aviator in the service who later became the first minority air station commander. U.S. Coast Guard photo." data-image-description="Capt. Bobby Wilks was the first minority aviator in the service who later became the first minority air station commander. U.S. Coast Guard photo."

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: The Coast Guard Academy – commissioning minority officers for 75 years!

These men and women were the first known minority service members to graduate from the Coast Guard Academy. U.S. Coast Guard photos." data-image-description="These men and women were the first known minority service members to graduate from the Coast Guard Academy. U.S. Coast Guard photos."