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

February 21

USCGC Spencer (WPG-36) in 1942 or 1943. Spencer sank U-175 with assistance of USCGC Duane, on April 17, 1943.

1943  CGC Spencer received credit from the U.S. Navy for attacking and sinking the U-225 in the North Atlantic.  The British Ministry of Defence has since recorded that the U-225 was actually destroyed by B-24 Liberator “S” of RAF No. 120 Squadron on February 15, 1943 and they have revised the official British records to reflect this change.  However, the renowned German naval historian, Professor-Dr. Jurgen Rohwer, stated that Spencer “probably” attacked and sank the U-529 instead, although the Spencer has not received official credit for that sinking.

2008  On February 20, 2008, two U.S. Air Force F-15C fighter jets from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, collided over the Gulf of Mexico off Panama City.  Coast Guard HC-144A, No. 2303, and its crew, which were diverted to the scene from a routine training flight.  They located the first pilot and directed his recovery.  Both F-15C pilots were eventually recovered; regrettably only one was recovered alive.  This search & rescue (SAR) mission included two important “firsts” for the U.S. Coast Guard’s new HC-144A Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft.  For the HC-144A, the incident marked its first SAR mission, and its first use as an On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) platform.

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

February 20

1845  President John Tyler vetoed a bill providing that no cutter be built nor purchased unless an appropriation was first made by law, on grounds that sanctity of contract of those already contracted for should not be overridden by Congress.  Congress overrode his veto on March 3, 1845.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Coos Bay (WAVP-376). Originally USS Coos Bay (AVP-25) was a Barnegat-class small seaplane tender commissioned by the U.S. Navy for use in the Second World War. From 1949 to 1966 she was loaned to the U.S. Coast Guard, first designated WAVP-376, later WHEC-376. After her return to the Navy, the Coos Bay was struck from the Naval Register and on 9 January 1968 she was expended as target by the guided missile destroyer USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5), and 35 aircraft, 200 km (120 mi) off the coast of Virginia (USA). (The 40mm and boats suggest this is early in Coos Bay’s Coast Guard service.–Chuck)

1964  CGC Coos Bay rescued 11 of the crew of the foundering British freighter Ambassador in heavy seas, 1,000 miles east of Boston.  Coast Guard aircraft from Air Station Argentia, Newfoundland, were first on the scene after the freighter issued an SOS on February 18^th. The Coos Bay, on Ocean Station patrol 350 miles distant, steamed to the area and arrived there 24 hours later.  In concert with the Norwegian freighter Fruen, they managed to get lines aboard the wallowing Ambassador in what was called one of the most dramatic rescues of the year.  Demonstrating outstanding seamanship during the rescue, the cutter’s commanding officer, Commander Claude W. Bailey, was awarded the Legion of Merit.  Many of his crew had volunteered to enter the frigid water to assist in the rescue as well.  Two were awarded the Coast Guard Medal while seven others received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal.

A team aboard Coast Guard Cutter Stratton’s long range interceptor-II cutter boat participates in the interdiction of a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean July 18, 2015. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class LaNola Stone. 

2013  The first LRI-II was delivered by MetalCraft Marine U.S. to the Coast Guard on this date and commenced testing activities soon after. The LRI-II, which were built to be deployed on the National Security Cutter fleet, was 35 feet long with a range of over 220 nautical miles and was capable of achieving speeds in excess of 38 knots. “The stern-launched LRI-II’s high speed and extended range significantly enhanced its host cutter’s ability to execute missions while underway, particularly in migrant interdiction and law enforcement operations where teams need to be put on scene quickly. Its ability to extend the reach of its host cutter is also critical to search and rescue operations, enabling NSC cutter crews to patrol larger search areas. The LRI-II can carry up to 15 passengers, including crew, and safely operate in seas up to 13 feet.”

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

February 18

1842  The House of Representatives passed a resolution requesting the Committee on Commerce make an inquiry into the expenditures of the Lighthouse Establishment since 1816. This was to explore the possibility of cutting down on expenses, to examine the question of reorganizing the establishment and administration, and also to ascertain whether the establishment should be placed under the Topographical Bureau of the War Department.

Douglas RD “Dolphin” (1932)

1935  Three newly acquired Douglas RD Dolphin amphibious aircraft, CG-131, CG-132, and CG-133, took off from Clover Field, Santa Monica, California on “the first every trans-continental flight ever undertaken by a unit of Coast Guard men and planes.”  CG-131 flew to Air Station Cape May, CG-132 flew to Air Station Biloxi, while CG-133 flew to its assigned duty station at Air Station Miami.  All aircraft arrived safely.  Total flight time for CG-133 totaled 25 hours and 50 minutes.

MLB CG 36500 used by coxswain Bernard C. Miller

1952  During a severe “nor’easter” off the New England coast, the T-2 tankers SS Fort Mercer and SS Pendleton each broke in half.  Coast Guard vessels, aircraft, and lifeboat stations, working under severe winter conditions, rescued 70 persons from the foundering ships.  Five Coast Guardsmen earned the Gold Lifesaving Medal, four earned the Silver Lifesaving Medal, and 15 earned the Coast Guard Commendation Medal.

The 82-foot patrol boats of Squadron One (RONONE) deploying from Subic Bay in the Philippines to the theater of operations in Vietnam. (U.S. Coast Guard)

1966  Division 13 of Coast Guard Squadron One (RONONE) departed for Cat Lo.

1968  Engineman First Class Robert J. Yered was awarded the Silver Star for action on February 18, 1968 while attached to Explosive Loading Detachment #1, Cat Lai, Republic of Vietnam.  EN1 Yered was supervising the loading of explosives on board an ammunition ship when an enemy rocket struck a barge loaded with several tons of mortar ammunition moored alongside.  His citation noted that “without regard for his personal safety, [he] exposed himself to the enemy fusillade as he helped extinguish the fire on the burning barge…His courageous act averted destruction of the ammunition ship, and the Army Terminal.”  EN1 Yered also received the Purple Heart for injuries suffered during the incident.

A memorial to the fallen sits at the entrance to CGAS Cape Cod

1979  Coast Guard HH-3F helicopter CG-1432 crashed 180 miles southeast of Cape Cod, killing four of its five occupants. The helicopter was preparing to airlift a 47 year old crewman from the Japanese fishing vessel Kaisei Maru #18.

Lost on the mission were:
LCDR James D. Stiles
CPT George R. Burge
AT2 John B. Tait
HM2 Bruce A. Kaehler

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

February 16

US Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT

1926  Congress authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to “acquire a site at New London, Connecticut, without cost to United States, and construct thereon buildings for the United States Coast Guard Academy at a total cost not to exceed $1,750,000.”

February 17

USCGC Nike, same class as the ships of the West Coast Squadron

1934  CGCs Daphne, Hermes, Perseus, Aurora, and Calypso stood out from New York harbor, bound for their new duty station on the West Coast.  They arrived safely in San Diego, California on March 21, 1934 after passing through the Panama Canal.  The cutters formed and were referred to as the “West Coast Squadron” of the Coast Guard.

Operation Catchpole, February 1944. U.S. Marines who died from wounds received in the attack on Parry Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, being transferred from transport to be carried to beach for burial. Photograph received February 22, 1944. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2016/11/25). Accession #: 80-G-216210

1944  Coast Guardsmen participated in the invasions of Eniwetok and Engebi, Marshall Island.

USCGC CASCO 1961

1956  CGC Casco saved 21 persons from a U.S. Navy seaplane that was forced to ditch 100 miles south of Bermuda. The cutter then took the disabled seaplane under tow and delivered both the survivors and the seaplane to the Naval Air Station at St. Georgia Harbor, Bermuda.

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

February 15

Fort Trumbull

1911  Congress transferred Fort Trumbull, New London, Connecticut from the War Department to the Treasury Department for the use of the Revenue Cutter Service as its cadet training school.

USCGC  Calypso’s sister ship USCGC Argo, World War II.

1943  CGC Calypso removed 42 persons from a lifeboat from the torpedoed vessel SS Buarque (Brazil) east of Cape Henry.

1980  The 70-foot fishing vessel Donna Catalina sank 40 miles south of Nantucket Island.  After pumps lowered to the four-man crew failed to keep up with the flooding, a Coast Guard helicopter lifted the fishing vessel’s crew to safety.

2015  CGC Polar Star successfully rescued the Australian-flagged F/V Antarctic Chieftain which had been trapped in Antarctic ice 900 miles northeast of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, for nearly two weeks.  The rescue operation spanned more than 860 miles and required Polar Star to break through 150 miles of thick Antarctic ice and navigate around icebergs that were miles wide.  Antarctic Chieftain damaged three of its four propeller blades in the ice, which required Polar Star to tow the vessel through about 60 miles of ice into open water.  Towing the 207-foot fishing vessel through heavy ice placed varying strain on the tow line, which broke three times during the rescue mission.  Once in open water, Antarctic Chieftain was able to maneuver under its own power.  The crew of F/V Janas escorted Antarctic Chieftain to Nelson, New Zealand.  Polar Star reached the crew of the fishing vessel February 13 after traveling across more than 150 miles of ice.  The fishermen requested assistance from Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand Tuesday evening after becoming trapped in the ice.  RCC New Zealand requested CGC Polar Star, homeported in Seattle, to respond to Antarctic Chieftain’s request for assistance.  Polar Star was deployed to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, as part of Operation Deep Freeze.  After the successful rescue, Polar Star then continued its journey home to Seattle.