United States Coast Guard Leaders and Missions, 1790 to the Present

by Thomas P. Ostrom, John J. Galluzzo

The history of the U.S. Coast Guard and its predecessor agencies dates from 1790, with missions in both domestic and international waters. The service has provided aids to navigation, enforcement of maritime laws, environmental protection, search and rescue, immigration and narcotics interdiction, maritime safety assistance, port security, natural disaster response and national defense missions, including overseas with other U.S. armed forces and federal and state public safety agencies. The Service has operated under the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Transportation and, since 2003, the Department of Homeland Security. Its maritime mission regions have included Arctic and Antarctic waters, inland and coastal U.S. waterways and the seas and oceans of the world. This history describes how the Coast Guard has manifested its legacy and motto, Semper Paratus (Always Ready), in changing conditions under each of its leaders.

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2014

Reviews

[Johns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read for anyone interested in this small but effective military service. However as a Naval Aviator who served in the Marine Corps, I was disappointed this book didn't disclose more of the fine 100 year history of aviation in the USCG. Coastie aircrews launch on life-saving into some of the worst weather on earth and they do so with elan and professionalism.