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

July 5

1884  An Act of Congress (23 Stat. L., 118) created a special service known as the Bureau of Navigation, under the Treasury Department, with the duty of supervising the work having to do with the administration of American navigation laws.  “The act specifically allotted to the bureau the numbering of vessels and the preparation of the annual list of merchant vessels of the United States.”

USCGC Juniper

1996  The Coast Guard commissioned CGC Juniper (WLB 201) on this date in 1996.  The new 225-foot WLB was the lead ship in the Coast Guard’s Buoy Tender Replacement Project, a major acquisition to replace the service’s twenty-six 180-foot buoy tenders constructed during World War II.  A total of sixteen 225-foot WLBs were built by Marinette Marine Corporation for the Coast Guard.  Juniper was assigned to its homeport of Newport, Rhode Island.

CGNR 6539

2000  HH-65A CGNR 6539 rescued 51 persons from a burning oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.  The aircrew responded to the fire and safely airlifted 15 people to a nearby platform nine miles from the fire.  They then evacuated another 36 people to awaiting boats.  One of the 6539’s crew, AST1 John Green, had landed on the platform to coordinate the rescue.  As the helicopter returned to retrieve him, the rig exploded and sent a fireball 100 feet into the air.  Unsure whether he survived, the 6539 flew into the thick, black column of smoke and safely rescued him.  All four aircrew were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. (read the linked story, it is fantastic–Chuck)

Lt. Troy Beshears, LCDR Brian Moore, AST1 John Green, AMT1 Mike Bouchard

Their accomplishments were entered into the Congressional Record by Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu. The closing paragraph of her tribute is as follows:

“Today people say we live in a world without heroes, one in which cynicism and selfishness rule the day. I am proud to say this is not the case in our United States Coast Guard. Guardsmen and Guardswomen like Lieutenant Commander Moore, Lieutenant Beshears, Petty Officer Bouchard and Petty Officer Green put their lives on the line every day so that others may live. In this case, 51 men owe their lives to these four heroes who lived up to the Coast Guard’s motto of “Semper Paratus–Always Prepared.” On behalf of those 51 men, their families, the state of Louisiana and Americans everywhere, I am proud to stand here today and say “Thank you–job well done!” to these extraordinary heroes.”