The United States Coast Guard in World War II: A History of Domestic and Overseas Actions

by Thomas Ostrom

At home and overseas, the United States Coast Guard served a variety of vital functions in World War II, providing service that has been too little recognized in histories of the war. Teaming up with other international forces, the Coast Guard provided crewmembers for Navy and Army vessels as well as its own, carried troops, food, and military supplies overseas, and landed Marine and Army units on distant and dangerous shores.

This thorough history details those and other important missions, which included combat engagement with submarines and kamikaze planes, and typhoons. On the home front, port security missions involving search and rescue, fire fighting, explosives, espionage and sabotage presented their own unique dangers and challenges.

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Drew MacGregor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like a poorly written term paper it jumps around and throws in unrelated facts at odd spots. This book is a mess and in need of an editor. I really wanted a good Coast Guard in WWII history. The intro, preface, and chapter one all cover the same basic history. Chapter one of Dec 7 jumps from the 7th to the 8th to a history of the SPARS, then back to December 7 and then to the history of one ship including Korea. Details of the Bismarck's guns are inaccurate. Very disappointed in this book to the point that I question the rest. Couldn't finish it and I very seldom give a book fewer than 3 stars. Like a poorly written term paper it jumps around and throws in unrelated facts at odd spots.