Based on the Coast Guard Historian’s timeline, https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
With inspiration from Mike Kelso

May 12

USRC Seneca, 1908

1906  In part due to the lobbying efforts of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York, Congress authorized the construction of a cutter “equipped to cruise for and destroy derelicts and obstructions to navigation” for the Revenue Cutter Service.  The Service contracted with the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company to build this “derelict destroyer,” which was christened USRC Seneca.  She was commissioned in 1908.

United States Coast Guard Lieutenant C. B. Olsen is awarded with the Flying Cross Medal in Washington DC. A close up of Lt. C. B. Olsen . US Secretary of Treasury Henry Mogenthau pins up the medal on the uniform of the Lt. and shakes hand with him. Location: Washington DC. Date: May 25, 1938.

1938  Lieutenant C. B. Olsen became the first Coast Guardsman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  He earned the award for “heroism in removing Lieutenant Colonel Gullion, U.S. Army, who was stricken with acute appendicitis, from the Army transport ‘Republic‘” after making an open-water landing near the freighter.

“Miami, Florida Air Station, at Dinner Key, Under General Muster, accompanied as well by Lieutenant C. B. Olsen, Commanding., 2 Jan. 1935.”
“HERE is a group of magnificent American flying men seen with Lt. Olsen, commanding. As usual, he is in disguise so some effort may be required to identify him.”

The Long Blue Line: Clarence Samuels—the U.S. military’s Afro-Latino color barrier buster!
A signed photo of Lt. Clarence Samuels commanding a Coast Guard vessel near the end of World War II. (U.S. Coast Guard Collection)

1939  Boatswain’s Mate First Class Clarence Samuels was appointed as a Chief Photographer’s Mate (Acting), becoming the first African-American photographer in the Coast Guard and only the second Coast Guard photographer in the entire history of the Service. (He had an amazing 27 year career including command of several ships.)

USCGC Wachusett (WPG/WHEC 44) No caption; 28 January 1966; Photo No. 040166-04; photographer unknown.

1957  CGC Wachusett, on Ocean Station NOVEMBER, halfway between Honolulu and San Francisco, rescued the two-man crew who had bailed out of a U.S. Air Force B-57 because of a fuel shortage.

1984  The Coast Guard was a primary participant in the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition in New Orleans.  The Coast Guard Barque Eagle was opened to the public and the fair’s organizers also chose the Coast Guard as the official honor guard for the exposition.  The service was also responsible for the exposition’s waterfront security.

1998  ADM Robert Kramek, Commandant of the Coast Guard, commissioned the Coast Guard’s Leadership Development Center (LDC) in New London.  The LDC consolidated the leadership training courses of the service, including Officer Candidate School, Chief Warrant Officer Indoctriniation School, the Chief Petty Officer Academy, Command and Operations School, Officer in Charge/Executive Petty Officer Course, and the Leadership and Quality Institute in one central location at the Coast Guard Academy.