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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary History
A Proud Tradition, A Worthy Mission
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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary History A Proud Tradition, A Worthy Mission |
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Home > FAQs | ||||||||||||
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Below are questions that are often asked by members and/or address areas of confusion and interest. For specific dates on major activities, refer to our milestones page. If you have a question, or need further clarification about a particular aspect of Auxiliary history, please contact us.
Q: Who founded the Coast Guard Auxiliary? A: As explained in "The Coast Guard
Auxiliary Past and Present," the idea of a civilian component of the Coast
Guard had many supporters, but the officer most responsible for the
Auxiliary's establishment was Adm. Russell Waesche, the Coast Guard
commandant during World War II. Working mariners and pleasure boaters
have always had a close relationship with our sea services. During the
American Revolution and War of 1812, hundreds of commissioned privateers
wreaked havoc on British shipping. At first surfmen at lifesaving
stations were part-timers. During the Civil War, the government was loaned
or purchased private vessels, often with their captains in tow. The
Navy supervised harbor patrols during World War I. And from the
beginning of the twentieth century yacht club members urged the formation of
a civilian auxiliary. Malcolm Stuart Boylan who lobbied in
Q: How did the World War II Temporary Reserve differ from today's Coast Guard Reserve? A: First it must be understood that during World War II, virtually all men and women who enrolled in all the military services were active duty temporary Reservists. In other words, if one became an active duty Coast Guard officer as a result of, being a Reservist who was activated, enrolling, or being drafted, one's billet during the war did not guarantee one a permanent place in the regular active duty Coast Guard after cessation of hostilities. One was temporary for the duration. However, those who became known in the Coast Guard as Temporary Reservists or TRs were volunteer part-time temporary Reservists who normally were on active duty 24 to 48 hours per week. During this time, they held all the powers of a full-time active duty Reservist and were credited with active duty hours. In June 1942, when the law was changed to allow part-time assignments, due to the German submarine threat, temporary Reservists were initially enrolled with or without pay on a full-time or part-time basis. Then in December, the regulations were changed. Reservists who could meet the age and physical requirements were put on full-time active duty with pay. Those who could not were required to perform their duties on a volunteer basis for a certain number of hours a week. These part-time volunteer assignments were unique to the Coast Guard and a brilliant solution to the service's manpower problems. But, there was never a separate "Temporary Reserve." It must also be noted that these arrangements put much strain on these volunteers. The 24 hour duty requirement meant that some did not work a full week at their jobs, as volunteers had to man stations 24/7. Thus, Reservists made financial sacrifices. Moreover, many filled their 24 hours by conducting night patrols two nights a week then reporting to their 48-hour per week (or more) day defense jobs. Q: Did temporary Reservists receive recognition for their World War II service? A: Reservists served in the American Theater of war and, thus, were eligible to wear the American Theater Ribbon. For their wartime service they were also eligible to receive the Victory Medal. Reservists and/or their descendants may still apply to the Department of Defense to have these awards conferred, including posthumously. But first, a copy of their Reserve record must be obtained from the National Dept. of Personnel Records. Go to the main page of the website of the National Archives and Records Administration (www.archives.gov) and click on Military Service Records to read instructions on how to apply. Once a verification of service is obtained, contact your Coast Guard Public Affairs Office to inquire as to how to apply for service medals. The Victory Medal can be awarded for Reservists who served up till December 31, 1946, which is the official end of World War II. Q: How can I receive a record of my deceased relative's Auxiliary record of service? A: After a member is deceased or disenrolled from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, his or her official record is transferred to the regional National Archives and Records Administration office (the national site is (www.archives.gov). Contact this office to make the request. Q: When did the Navigator begin publication? Was there a published record of Auxiliary activities before then? A: The Navigator commenced publication in 1961. Beginning in World War II, the Auxiliary had monthly columns in Yachting and Motor Boat & Sailing magazines, finally terminating in the early 1970s. Both magazines also featured periodic feature articles on the Auxiliary. Many articles on Auxiliary activities were also published in the Coast Guard Bulletin of the 1950s and '60s. And, of course, Districts had always published their newsletters and magazines. Q: Could Auxiliarists always help support the Coast Guard in so many ways? A: Previous to 1996, Auxiliary membership was limited to boat owners or those with special qualifications, usually meaning teachers and others with technical skills that could help support a flotilla's operation. However, there could be no more than 3 nonboat-owning members per boat-owner in a flotilla. During the 1990's, an active effort to integrate Auxiliarists into more of the Coast Guard's day-to-day operations was begun by the Chief DIRAUX office at headquarters. Auxiliarists began assisting in public affairs offices, qualifying as Coast Guard boat and air crew members, qualifying as officers of the day at local stations, becoming Coast Guard recruiters, etc. This coincided with increased demands being put on the Coast Guard due to a considerable number of disasters that occurred during the 1990s: Hurricane Andrew, the '93 Mississippi Floods, the Cuban-Haitian boatlift, etc. Due to their outstanding records and the need, in 1996, the law was changed to allow Auxiliarists to support any Coast Guard mission, except direct law enforcement and military operations, as directed by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Boat ownership as a qualification was dropped. Q: Were Coast Guard Auxiliarists always very active in search and rescue? A: By 1950 the Auxiliary's four cornerstone programs had been established: vessel examinations, public education, safety patrols, and fellowship. During the 1950s, the main focus was on public education, vessel examination, and regatta patrols and membership remained at about 13,000. From the late 1950s on, several social and economic factors produced a tremendous boom in the Auxiliary's search and rescue work, along with its membership. During the postwar years, millions of Americans, large numbers of whom were Navy and Coast Guard veterans, moved to the suburbs. Families then had room to park a trailered boat. The federal government built hundreds of inland dam and reservoir lakes which produced a pleasure boating boom in the West. The introduction of fiberglass as a major construction material lowered prices, making a boat more affordable. The baby boom had teenagers begging dads to buy boats so they could water ski. Boating was also a family activity in which all could happily engage. Finally, the proliferation of marine VHF radios produced an increased volume of search and rescue calls to the Coast Guard. To give an idea of the Auxiliary's increased role in search in rescue, in 1960 with approximately 15,000 members*, the Auxiliary performed 2,400 operational assists. In 1968, the 28,958 members performed 8,938 assists. A change in federal boating laws in 1971, for the first time, allowed Auxiliary facilities to operate on sole state waters, producing another spike in search and rescue statistics. In one Long Island Sound flotilla, during the 1970s, approximately 150 tows per year were conducted (based on one coxswain's estimate). However, due to complaints of commercial towers and the federal government's privatization policy, during the 1980s, salvers took over much of the towing operations that previously had fallen on the shoulders of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. As a result, search and rescue statistics dropped (also World War II veterans began to retire). * Denotes this is an estimate based on the November 1955 member statistic of 12,859. Statistics are taken from the "With the Coast Guard Auxiliary" columns published in Yachting magazine, 1942-1970. Q: When were women allowed to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary and what could they do? A: Women were always allowed to join
the Auxiliary, as the 1939 enabling legislation stated that
There seemingly was no national policy that
restricted women's duties. However, local restrictions were imposed.
Beginning in World War II, all-female flotillas were formed, most likely, in
part due to discrimination. Approximately one dozen were activated
over the next two decades. Anecdotal evidence indicates that women
conducted patrols as early as the 1960s. Statistical and photographic
evidence shows that they were most active in the public education and vessel
examination programs. In December 1969, there were 2,415 women
members, 75 percent of whom held more than one staff position in their
flotillas. This was approximately 10 percent of the membership.
The women's movement of the 1970s spurred increased enrollment of women and
today they account for 25-30 percent of the membership. Bolling
Douglas of
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©2007 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Department of Public Affairs. All rights reserved. |
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Updated: Thursday, 08 May 2008 |
