Feb. 8, 2022

The Long Blue Line: A letter from Christmas past

During World War II, the Coast Guard established the Women’s Reserve. The women who joined were known as SPARs, which stands for Semper Paratus Always Ready. Recruited and trained to “release a man for sea,” the SPARs served in a variety of shore jobs, including clerical, recruiting, radiomen, parachute riggers, drivers, pharmacist’s mates and

Feb. 8, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Cowart—the Coast Guard’s fighting engineer

Official photograph of Rear Admiral Kenneth K. Cowart in dress blue uniform. (Courtesy of Lt. Paul Reck)" data-image-description="Official photograph of Rear Admiral Kenneth K. Cowart in dress blue uniform. (Courtesy of Lt. Paul Reck)"

Feb. 8, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Lt. Pease recounts the loss of Cutter Morris in the Key West Hurricane of 1846

Based on historical data, this University of Georgia map shows the storm track of Key West Hurricane of 1846 through Cuba and Florida Keys. (University of Georgia Extension)" data-image-description="Based on historical data, this University of Georgia map shows the storm track of Key West Hurricane of 1846 through Cuba and Florida Keys. (University

Feb. 8, 2022

The Long Blue Line: 55 years ago, the Coast Guard joined the fight in Vietnam

I want to make sure that the Coast Guard people in Vietnam know that I am hearing about them often and that I am pleased with what I hear.             -General Wallace Greene, Jr., Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1967As indicated in the quote above, the Coast Guard played a vital role in the Vietnam War, but the Service’s combat operations in South

Feb. 8, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Jim Evans–veteran of the World War II’s Greenland Patrol and Cutter Northland

 LCDR Dennis Branson (U.S. Coast Guard retired)Barbara Nichols and Kathy G’Sell (daughters of Coast Guard veteran Jim Evans)In 2016, I was speaking at a Kansas City area “Living History” event on the sinking of World War II troopship Dorchester when I ran into an eyewitness of World War II history. During my presentation, I noticed a gentleman

Feb. 8, 2022

The Long Blue Line: 100 years ago—Coast Guard opens Air Station #1 at Morehead City

HS-2L amphibian taxying from the ramp and into sheltered waters in preparation for take-off. (Coast Guard Aviation Association)" data-image-description="HS-2L amphibian taxying from the ramp and into sheltered waters in preparation for take-off. (Coast Guard Aviation Association)"

Feb. 8, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Bootleggers beware-Prohibition Law Enforcement 100 years ago

A Boston rum runner loaded with liquor after apprehension by the Coast Guard. (Boston Public Library)" data-image-description="A Boston rum runner loaded with liquor after apprehension by the Coast Guard. (Boston Public Library)"

Feb. 7, 2022

The Long Blue Line: Leyte liberation—Merry Christmas from the General and the dead of LST-66

Photo of LST-66 anchored in the San Francisco Bay after her return from the war. The black and white image shows the effects of the kamikaze attack on her aft starboard side. (U.S. Coast Guard Collection)" data-image-description="Photo of LST-66 anchored in the San Francisco Bay after her return from the war. The black and white image shows the

Feb. 7, 2022

The Long Blue Line: C.W. Lawrence—tamer of America’s maritime frontier and first PACAREA cutter

Painting of Captain Ottinger and crewmembers from the Lawrence putting down the mutiny on board the Challenge. (Coast Guard Collection)" data-image-description="Painting of Captain Ottinger and crewmembers from the Lawrence putting down the mutiny on board the Challenge. (Coast Guard Collection)"

Feb. 7, 2022

The Long Blue Line: RM3 Floyd Wilvers—Coast Guard destroyer escort veteran

A collection of Coast Guard memorabilia that is displayed on a shelf in Mr. Wilvers’ home. (MST2 Jeffrey McConnell, USCG)" data-image-description="A collection of Coast Guard memorabilia that is displayed on a shelf in Mr. Wilvers’ home. (MST2 Jeffrey McConnell, USCG)"