The U.S. Coast Guard in World War II

WWII Resources

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World War II

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

The U. S. Coast Guard in World War II

 

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

 

 

 

World War II Image Gallery
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170531-G-XX000-334.JPG Photo By: US Coast Guard

na - Argo, WPC-100 From the collection of Argo's CO in 1945, LTJG Eliot Winslow. Photo was taken by LTJG Winslow and remained part of his personal collection. His hand-written caption reads: "Heavy Seas: While awaiting the surrender of the German U-boats, the ARGO rode out a 65 m.p.h. blow. This picture looking aft shows the life boat normally 16 feet above the water, rolling into a heavy sea, most of which broke over the side of the ship. This roll was 41 [degrees] the maximum roll ever recorded was 62 [degrees] in a hurricane, when the life raft seen in the top of the picture was half submerged. So much green water poured down the stack the fires in the galley range and boile[r] were extinguished. We had more Christians aboard after the storm than when we sailed." Courtesy of the Winslow family.


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



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World War II Resources
na
170531-G-XX000-334.JPG Photo By: US Coast Guard

na - Argo, WPC-100 From the collection of Argo's CO in 1945, LTJG Eliot Winslow. Photo was taken by LTJG Winslow and remained part of his personal collection. His hand-written caption reads: "Heavy Seas: While awaiting the surrender of the German U-boats, the ARGO rode out a 65 m.p.h. blow. This picture looking aft shows the life boat normally 16 feet above the water, rolling into a heavy sea, most of which broke over the side of the ship. This roll was 41 [degrees] the maximum roll ever recorded was 62 [degrees] in a hurricane, when the life raft seen in the top of the picture was half submerged. So much green water poured down the stack the fires in the galley range and boile[r] were extinguished. We had more Christians aboard after the storm than when we sailed." Courtesy of the Winslow family.


DOWNLOAD PHOTO (0.17 MB)


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



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