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."

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Officer Candidate School and female trailblazers in the Coast Guard’s officer corps

Beverly Kelley, first woman to command a U.S. military vessel, on the bridge of the 95-foot cutter Cape Newhagen. U.S. Coast Guard photo." data-image-description="Beverly Kelley, first woman to command a U.S. military vessel, on the bridge of the 95-foot cutter Cape Newhagen. U.S. Coast Guard photo."

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Holly Harrison – Bronze Star Recipient of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Lt. Holly Harrison aboard Coalition warship USS Milius. Coast Guard Collection. " data-image-description="Lt. Holly Harrison aboard Coalition warship USS Milius. Coast Guard Collection. "

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Bertholf – second founder of the Coast Guard

Commodore Bertholf, first commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and first flag officer in the service’s history. U.S. Coast Guard image." data-image-description="Commodore Bertholf, first commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and first flag officer in the service’s history. U.S. Coast Guard image."

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: SPARs – female trailblazers of the Coast Guard

A World War II recruiting poster for SPARs, the Women’s Reserve branch of the U.S. Coast Guard. U.S. Coast Guard image." data-image-description="A World War II recruiting poster for SPARs, the Women’s Reserve branch of the U.S. Coast Guard. U.S. Coast Guard image."

Feb. 14, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Civil War operations of the Revenue Cutter Service

Painting of Revenue Cutter Miami covering troop landings at Ocean View Beach near Norfolk, Va., by Charles Mazoujian. (Coast Guard Collection)" data-image-description="Painting of Revenue Cutter Miami covering troop landings at Ocean View Beach near Norfolk, Va., by Charles Mazoujian. (Coast Guard Collection)"