Nov. 19, 2021

The Long Blue Line: Catching the rumrunners—Coast Guard adopts new technology during Prohibition

[Prohibition] was a hard unremitting war with few of the rewards normally accompanying performance of such duty. Yet under the law, the Coast Guard had no alternative but to conduct it with zeal and dedication, utilizing all the resources at its command. The story of the “Noble Experiment” is in large part a Coast Guard story.    Commandant Edwin

Nov. 12, 2021

The Long Blue Line: Harold Tantaquidgeon, Chief Boatswain’s Mate and Chief of the Mohegans

Prohibition was an era of illicit liquor, bootleggers, and adventure on the high seas, most notably on the East Coast. It became illegal to produce, sell, or transport liquor for consumption on Jan. 17, 1920. The United States Coast Guard had its share of the action searching for bootleggers offshore and along the U.S. coastline and inland

Nov. 5, 2021

The Long Blue Line: “Sooner Squadron”—First Native American Women to enlist in the Coast Guard 

At least six women from Oklahoma’s tribal nations served in the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserves (“SPARS”) during World War II. They enlisted for the same reasons as other American women and performed the same duties, yet newspaper reporters sensationalized their stories with popular culture stereotypes. These SPARS allowed male Coast Guardsmen

Nov. 2, 2021

Captain Healy’s Cutter Bear—once lost, now found! 

As with so many forgotten Coast Guard stories of heroism, bravery, and courage, the story of Michael Augustine Healy and his trusty cutter Bear is unknown to most Americans. Healy was born in 1839 on a plantation in Georgia to a plantation owner and a slave. His father sent Healy north with his siblings so they would escape enslavement in the South

Oct. 29, 2021

The Long Blue Line: Cold War Cutter Courier—“Valiant fighter in the cause of freedom” 

I am speaking to you today from a ship. It is a special kind of ship, and it will perform a very special mission. This vessel will not be armed with guns, or with any instruments of destruction. But it will be a valiant fighter in the cause of freedom. It will carry a precious cargo--and that cargo is truth. ~ President Harry S Truman, U.S. Coast

Oct. 22, 2021

The Long Blue Line: Satterlee—the last full measure of devotion

Captain Satterlee was a particularly competent and efficient officer and made a record of which the best might well be proud.    “Official Record of Charles Satterlee,” Coast Guard Personnel Office, October 18, 1918Charles Satterlee was born in Essex, Connecticut, in 1875. His naval career began after completing the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service’s

Oct. 15, 2021

The Long Blue Line: Pacific War veteran Sy Siegel, 101 years strong and still Semper Paratus! 

Sy Siegel is one of many distinguished combat veterans of the long blue line.

Oct. 8, 2021

The Long Blue Line: GITMO Lighthouse standing the watch for 120 years, still Semper Paratus!

It has been 121 years since the Guantanamo Lighthouse was built, remaining Semper Paratus thanks to numerous Coast Guard members who have preserved this unique piece of Coast Guard history.

Oct. 5, 2021

The Long Blue Line: USS Durant—Coast Guard and Navy warship of World War II and Cold War

Surprisingly, in the Coast Guard’s 230-year history, the service has operated very few purpose-built naval warships. However, during World War II, Coast Guardsmen operated a number of smaller classes of warships, including sub chasers, patrol gunboats, patrol craft, patrol frigates, and destroyer escorts. The USS Durant (DE-389) was one of several

Sept. 24, 2021

The Long Blue Line: Cesar Romero—a Hollywood star, but just another guy in the Coast Guard

From Hollywood Star to Coast Guard war hero - the story of Cesar Romero.