U.S. Coast Guard

"Semper Paratus" -

The United States Coast Guard is one of the oldest branches of the United States military, tracing its roots back to the Revenue Cutter Service, which was formed in 1790. The Revenue Cutter Service was responsible for enforcing customs laws, collecting taxes, and protecting the nation’s maritime borders. In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form the Coast Guard.

During World War I, the Coast Guard was tasked with patrolling the East Coast to protect against German submarines. During World War II, the Coast Guard was responsible for protecting merchant ships from German U-boats, rescuing survivors from torpedoed ships, and providing coastal defense. In the post-war era, the Coast Guard’s mission expanded to include drug interdiction, search and rescue, and environmental protection. In the late 20th century, the Coast Guard began to focus more on maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. Today, the Coast Guard is responsible for a wide range of missions, including law enforcement, search and rescue, drug interdiction, and environmental protection. The Coast Guard also plays a key role in homeland security, working with other agencies to protect the nation’s borders and ports.