My Coast Guard News

Coast Guard Cutter Active pictured with an interdicted “fastboat.” By 1990, smugglers had shifted to long-range fastboats as the primary transport platform for cocaine smuggling. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Dec. 13, 2024

With a seizure of opium near San Francisco Bay in 1886, the fight against maritime drug smuggling began, and continues to this day.

Grimy marines return to the Arthur Middleton for rest and recovery after the Battle of Eniwetok. (National Archives)

Dec. 6, 2024

Hoyle’s Hell

Coast Guardsman masters the bloody beaches of the Pacific.

BMCM Poulin is honored as part of the 2018 Memorial Day Parade for Nahant, Massachusetts. (Courtesy of the Poulin family)

Nov. 29, 2024

BMCM Maurice Poulin, World War II veteran

This essay is based on the author’s interview with retired master chief and World War II veteran, Maurice Poulin, regarding his World War II experiences.

1894 photograph of Keeper Lawson surrounded by his NWU student surfmen. (Courtesy of NWU Deering Library)

Nov. 22, 2024

Lawrence Lawson’s Thanksgiving Day rescue

"Thanksgiving Day 1889 will doubtless ever be remembered by the crew of Calumet... for on this day the student surfmen of Northwestern and their fearless keeper kept them from a watery grave."

-Coast Guard photograph of Seaman First Class Sophia Thadei in uniform. (National Personnel Records Center, National Archives)
-Photograph of the Rogers Mansion in Charleston, which housed the District Coast Guard Office during World War II. (Library of Congress)

Nov. 15, 2024

An Alaska Native SPAR - The Story of Seaman First Class Sophia Thadei

Sophia Thadei was among the first Native American women to wear the Coast Guard uniform.

Photograph of the U.S. Life-Saving Service crew at Neah Bay, Washington Territory. The crewmembers were predominantly Makah Tribe members. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Nov. 8, 2024

Native Americans in the Coast Guard

Native Americans have been members of the Coast Guard and its predecessor services for well over 200 years.

Last known photograph of the Carroll A. Deering underway, shot from the deck of the Cape Lookout Lightship. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Oct. 25, 2024

Ghostship Carroll A. Deering

The haunting tale of Carroll A. Deering and the mysterious disappearance of her crew.

AMM1 Gus Jablonski standing with the Gander Express after receiving his Silver Medal of the Order of Leopold II from Belgium. (Courtesy of the Jablonski Family)

Oct. 18, 2024

Chief Gus Jablonski — enlisted pioneer of helicopter flight

As one of the first Coast Guard helicopter mechanics, Jablonski helped lay the groundwork for helicopter maintenance procedures.

An aerial view of Storis breaking ice in Prudhoe Bay for tugs and barges delivering equipment and supplies to build the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Oct. 11, 2024

CGC Storis — “Galloping Ghost of the Alaskan Coast”

Storis recorded many firsts and set records, including some that have endured to this day.

Official service photograph of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles L. Calhoun in his dress blues. (U.S. Coast Guard)
The newly commissioned National Security Cutter, Charles Calhoun, steams up the Cooper River to its new homeport at Coast Guard Base Charleston. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Oct. 4, 2024

MCPOCG #1 Charles Calhoun — leader, mentor, trailblazer and NSC namesake

Calhoun's philosophy was, “You should have important goals in your life and make every effort possible to obtain those goals. Set your goals high. Believe in being the best in everything you want to accomplish.”