The history of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) dates back to the late 18th century. It is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and the Department of the Navy during times of war.
The USCG’s origins can be traced to the Revenue Cutter Service, which was established on August 4, 1790, by Alexander Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury. The Revenue Cutter Service was responsible for enforcing tariff laws and preventing smuggling along the coastline of the United States. The service initially operated a fleet of ten cutters, which were small, single-mast sailing vessels.
In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the United States Life-Saving Service to form the United States Coast Guard. The Life-Saving Service was responsible for rescuing shipwrecked mariners and was established in 1848. The merger created a single service tasked with both law enforcement and maritime rescue operations.
During World War I, the Coast Guard played a vital role in supporting the U.S. Navy. Coast Guard cutters escorted convoys, conducted anti-submarine patrols, and performed search and rescue missions. Following the war, the Coast Guard was officially recognized as a military service.
In 1939, the U.S. Lighthouse Service was also merged into the Coast Guard, further expanding its responsibilities. The Lighthouse Service had been responsible for the maintenance of lighthouses and aids to navigation since 1789.
During World War II, the Coast Guard played a significant role in various theaters of operation. Coast Guard personnel participated in amphibious landings, manned naval vessels, and carried out search and rescue missions. The Coast Guard’s most notable contribution during the war was its involvement in the “Knot Hole” project, which developed advanced navigational technologies, including LORAN (Long Range Aid to Navigation), which greatly improved maritime navigation.
In 1967, the Coast Guard was transferred from the Department of the Treasury to the newly established Department of Transportation. This move recognized the Coast Guard’s role in maritime safety, environmental protection, and maritime law enforcement.
In 2003, the Coast Guard was transferred to the newly created Department of Homeland Security, where it remains today. The Coast Guard’s responsibilities expanded to include port security, drug interdiction, immigration enforcement, and protection of the nation’s waters from terrorist threats.
Throughout its history, the Coast Guard has been involved in various operations and missions, including ice-breaking operations in the polar regions, search and rescue efforts, marine environmental protection, and law enforcement activities. The Coast Guard continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests and promoting maritime safety.