My Coast Guard News

Two graphic images superimposed with one another. At the bottom it reads "The Long Blue Line." The image on the left is a house with bells and trees and says "Seasons Greetings." On the right, is a Large posiedon like charachter and it says "A salty, hearty, merry christmas. From the Onondaga."

Dec. 22, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Merry Christmas from the Galley! — the Coast Guard’s collection of vintage Christmas Menus

The Coast Guard Historian’s Office recently unearthed several shipboard Christmas menus in its Archives and Special Collections. They are few, but rather colorful and provide insight into a bright spot in an otherwise monotonous lifestyle at sea.

Photograph of Coast Guard pilot, LT John C. Vukic, also known as “Big John.”

A Coast Guard PBM-5G jet assisted take-off using JATO rockets. This image shows a sister aircraft to #84738, which flew the Swatow mission. (Coast Guard Aviation Association)

An aerial photograph of the USS Halsey Powell (DD-686) underway during the 1950s.

Dec. 15, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Rescue and sacrifice — PBM-G5 #84738’s Korean War rescue 70 years ago

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the events that transpired in the Formosa Straits – we remember the courageous Coast Guard and Navy men who perished.

A photo of Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Davis in uniform in front of a plain white background. The words "why I serve at sea" appear in white text at the bottom of the photo.

Nov. 30, 2023

'I 100% fell in love with being underway'— Why Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Deitrick serves at sea

"The experiences that you go through underway, the good ones and the bad ones, the day-to-day stuff that you go through together, really bring you closer together."

Janet Irwin and Scott Irwin receive 1st Lieutenant Frost’s Purple Heart Medal from Captain Michael Kahle of Sector St. Petersburg, which hosted the ceremony. Note the Tampa mural on the wall in the background. (U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office)

Nov. 23, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Happy Thanksgiving! — The Tampa Trunk artifacts and legacy of the lost World War I cutter

Tampa’s brief, but illustrious, story is one of selfless service, valor, and ultimately human tragedy amidst the destruction of war. It was the nation’s single largest naval combat loss of World War I. Because of the Tampa Purple Heart Project, we now know more about its crew.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans sign leaning against a building after hurricane Katrina made landfall in August 2005.

Nov. 17, 2023

Journey of a Coast Guard Museum Artifact: The Sign

The transformation of the Air Station New Orleans sign from a functional marker to a rallying relic.

The Coast Guard War Memorial represents valor, bravery, and ultimate sacrifice during a war unlike any other time. Lest we forget these men, the Coast Guard carries on its missions in their memory.

Nov. 10, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Lest we forget — the Coast Guard Memorial at Arlington Cemetery (Part 2)

The Coast Guard War Memorial represents valor, bravery, and ultimate sacrifice during a war unlike any other time. Lest we forget these men, the Coast Guard carries on its missions in their memory.

A July 1921 photo of staff at Air Station Morehead City, the Coast Guard’s first air station and crew, in front of a flying boat and hangar. Officer standing in the center is Capt. William Wishar with another officer and enlisted men posing in the hot summer sun. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Nov. 3, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Aviator #8 recounts the early days of Coast Guard flight

“I didn’t know whether he should have a court-martial for risking the plane and his life or be recommended for a medal for bravery beyond the call of duty. He retired as Rear Admiral.”