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WWI

History

1917  – 1918 The outbreak of World War I in 1914 saw cutters become responsible for enforcing U.S. neutrality laws. With the declaration of war against Germany on 6 April 1917, a coded dispatch was transmitted from Washington to every cutter and shore station of the Coast Guard. Officers and enlisted men, vessels and units, …

Port Security

On 31 July 1916, a massive explosion destroyed the port facility on Black Tom’s Island, New Jersey and sent a million dollars worth of glass cascading onto the streets of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Jersey City, Hoboken, and other New York and New Jersey cities. Only the fact that it happened at 0200 prevented the loss of …

Surface Ops

Air Ops

During World War I, Coast Guard aviators were assigned to naval air stations in this country and abroad. One Coast Guardsman commanded the Naval Air Station, Ille Tudy, France, and won the French Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Another commanded the Chatham Naval Air Station. He also piloted one of two HS-1 seaplanes that …

Summary

At first glance, the Coast Guard’s war record seems unimpressive. No Coastguardsmen participated in any major battles. Few even saw any action against the enemy. Seneca and Ossipee each had run ins with submarines, and Seneca was credited with a possible sinking. All cutters on convoy patrol performed well and were praised by the Navy. …