This Day in Coast Guard History, May 31

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

May 31

1947  Authority of the U.S. Coast Guard for the establishment and disestablishment of prohibited, restricted, and anchorage areas, conferred by the Espionage Act (50 U.S.C. 191) and Proclamation No. 2412 of June 27, 1940 was terminated by Proclamation No. 2732, signed by the President on this date.

1948  The Coast Guard assumed command of the former Navy base at Cape May, New Jersey, and formally established its east coast recruit training center there the next day.

1963  The Commandant authorized the disestablishment of Light Station Alcatraz, California.

Jack Dempsey (center) wearing a U.S. Coast Guard Commander uniform, watches two seamen loading twin 40mm anti-aircraft guns, circa 1942 to 1944. USCG Photo

1983  Former world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey passed away at the age of 87.  He served in the Coast Guard during World War II and achieved the rank of commander.

1988  The first search and rescue agreement with the Soviet Union was signed at a summit in Moscow.  The agreement set a general line, or boundary, separating SAR regions and provided for exchange visits to SAR coordination centers in both countries, joint SAR exercises, and regular communication checks. (Not the same thing but interesting.)

USCGC Fir (WLM 212), ex-USCGC Fir (WAGL 212), Commissioned USCGC Fir (WAGL 212) 1 October 1940 at Seattle, WA.

1988  CGC Fir became the oldest cutter in commission after CGC Ingham was decommissioned this day in 1988.

The Coast Guard cutter Boutwell,’ foreground, is seen escorting the Liberian-flagged vessel ‘Command’ Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1998, in international waters. AP Photo by US Coast Guard

2009  USCGC Boutwell arrived in the port of Tubruq, Libya, during its around-the-world cruise, becoming the first U.S. military ship to visit Libya in more than 40 years.

2013  Coast Guard Group Humboldt Bay, the Coast Guard command responsible for operations from the California-Oregon border south to the Mendocino-Sonoma county line, was renamed Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay during a formal ceremony.

2 thoughts on “This Day in Coast Guard History, May 31

  1. I don’t read all of these. But I have to admire you doing this. I wanted to do something similar but from a wider more general specific. But the amount of work involved was too much. So BZ Chucky!

Leave a reply to Chuck Hill Cancel reply