US Coast Guard crew of cutter Spencer watched as a depth charge exploded near U-175, North Atlantic, 500 nautical miles WSW of Ireland, 17 Apr 1943. Photo by Jack January
The US Naval Institute’s April 2024 edition of Naval History magazine has an excellent article about USCGC Spencer’s destruction of U-175 on 17 April 1943, A Nautical Knife Fight, written by CPO William A. Bleyer, USCG. I have added the link to my heritage page.
I have read several accounts of this action, and this is the best and most detailed.
USCGC Spencer (WPG-36) in 1942 or 1943. Spencer sank U-175 with assistance of USCGC Duane, on April 17, 1943.
Spencer was the Coast Guard’s most successful ASW ship, sinking at least two U-boats (U-633 on March 1943 and U-175 17 April 1943) and possibly a third.
USCG Cmdr Harold S. Berdine of cutter Spencer talking with US Navy Capt Paul Heineman of the Escort Group A-3 after sinking German submarine U-175, North Atlantic, 500 nautical miles WSW of Ireland, 17 Apr 1943. US Coast Guard photo by Jack January
Spencer was one of seven 327 foot Secretary class cutters. As a class they were extremely successful. Unfortunately, one was lost 29 January 1942, after being torpedoed. Another of the class, USCGC Campbell, famously rammed and sank U-606 on 22 February 1943, after the U-boat was forced to the surface by the Polish destroyer Burza. I had the privilege of being XO on one of the class, USCGC Duane, which assisted Spencer in the sinking of U-175 and rescuing survivors.
Related:
- “How Spencer Became the Coast Guard’s Top U-Boat Killer, Thank You Royal Navy”
- More on the Coast Guard’s role in the Battle of the Atlantic here.
- A book review and thoughts on modern convoys here.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
CDR Berdine wears a hat without gold trim on the brim whereas Navy CDR’s did. CAPT Heineman has his scrambled eggs showing as is appropriate for his rank. Did USCG CDR;s not wear scrambled eggs [as we called them]? My Navy career started on the USCG Taney in Alameda when she was there and I was a sea scout onboard for training. Always loved that! I enjoy your blog tremendously. Well done!
Jack, I had not noticed that. On the other hand, there is a good chance is hat with scrambled eggs got blown over the side and he had to resurrect an old one.
They are surprisingly well dressed for being underway in the North Atlantic in war time. This may have been posed for the purpose.
At the time there were ten escort groups organized for escorting merchant convoys. Five were British, four were Canadian, and Heineman’s Harriers was the only American lead group.
US Atlantic Fleet ran a separate system for high speed troop convoys.
right on being posed although in my 12 years in the Navy, I never saw [that I can recall] a CDR w/out scrambled eggs on his hat]. I raised the question thinking that someone with your considerable knowledge of the USCG might recall if that was appropriate or happenstance, like you suggested. We actually never wore combination caps after leaving port on the ships I sailed on., as I recall [baseball caps or aviator piss-cutters were the order of the day]. Thanks for responding- enjoy your day!
@Jack, I am old, but not old enough to have been in the CG in WWII (missed out on the big one), but I am pretty sure CG uniforms at the time were the same as Navy with only differences in insignia.
When I reported into the Academy in 1965 I got a full set of Navy style uniforms. The uniform change came in 1974. Uniforms of the United States Coast Guard – Wikipedia