Happy Birthday United States Coast Guard!

Happy Birthday United States Coast Guard!

Posted by Hayley Adams on Jul 29th 2021

Each year on August 4th, we celebrate the founding of the United States Coast Guard. Since 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security by patrolling our coasts for drug smugglers, human trafficking, and domestic and international terrorism. Over the years, we have developed sophisticated, effective technology to combat crimes on the water and at our ports to keep our country safe.

Let’s give the U.S. Coast Guard the love and appreciation it deserves with some impressive facts you might not have known!

1. It's America's Oldest Continuing Sea Going Service

The U.S. Coast Guard, first known as the "Revenue Marine," has been around for more than 200 years. The service is crucial to our national security. Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, founded the Revenue Marine — which later became the U.S. Coast Guard.

2. It's The World's 12th Largest Naval Force

The U.S. Coast Guard does a lot more than search and rescue missions. As Commander-in-Chief, the president can transfer U.S. Coast Guard operations to the U.S. Navy when necessary.

3. The Oldest Serving Coast Guard Member Was 105

Anthony Christy, who manned the Christiana Lighthouse in Delaware, died while on duty in 1862.

4. The Coast Guard Is The Only Branch That Has 2 Official Flags

Two Flags are better than one! The Coast Guard is unique to the other services for it has two official flags, the Coast Guard standard and the Coast Guard ensign.

5. The Oldest Station

The oldest Coast Guard boat station is in Sandy Hook, NJ.

6. From The Revenue Cutter Service to the Coast Guard

In 1915, The Revenue Cutter Service and U.S. Life Saving Service merged to form a single maritime entity called the U.S. Coast Guard.

7. High Standards for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers

One of the lesser-known Coast Guard facts is that becoming a Coast Guard rescue swimmer is extremely hard. More than half the people who try out fail.

Check out our Eagle Mountain Flag and Flagpole site for more Coast Guard related products, or any other Military flags. If you're interested in learning more about the history and beginnings of other military branches, take a look at our quick guide to all Military Birthdays!

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