The Ambitious Scotsman Who Used A Tiny, War-Scarred Brig To Capture A Huge 32-Gun Frigate
On March 28th, 1800, a Scottish aristocrat took command of the small Brig-Sloop HMS Speedy, based at Port Mahon. The Scotsman, Thomas Cochrane, was an…
A Bridge Too Far: The Americans, And The True Story Of The 101st And 82nd In Operation Market Garden
A Bridge Too Far, the film adaptation of Cornelius Ryan’s book of the same name, tells the epic tale of the men who fought through…
The Fateful Last Mission Of Jack Rittichier, Coast Guard Rescue Pilot In Vietnam
The United States Coast Guard is world-renowned for its excellence in helicopter rescue operations. Few people realize how effective this was used during the Vietnam…
The Amazing Story Of James Crotty, Who Single Handedly Won The Coast Guard A Battle Streamer
Battle Streamers are awarded to a military branch, or unit, for their participation in an important battle or campaign. They are usually earned by large…
A U-Boat captain and a US Coast Guard Cutter’s captain meet at the end of WWII
War is full of brief encounters. A sudden glimpse of the face of an enemy; the brief sighting of an enemy submarine; or seeing a wounded…
The USS Constitution – Leading The Power Of The US Navy For The First Time
Sweat poured down the brows of eight American sailors, their white-knuckled fists gripping long oars. The bosun bellowed at them to pull for their lives…
The Unknown History of US Coast Guard Intelligence Operations
History often overlooks the Coast Guard’s role as an intelligence-gathering operation. This small service, with its unique combination of military, law enforcement, and humanitarian missions…
Two Amazing Stories From USCGC Escanaba – Heroism And Heartbreak In The North Atlantic, 1943
The Rescue of the Dorchester USCGC Escanaba was steaming along calmly on February 2, 1943. She was part of a six-ship convoy; three escorts, and…
The Heroic US Coast Guard Who Gave His Life To Save His Shipmates During A Desperate Rescue In WW2
US Coast Guard Cutter Comanche left Boston in January 1943. She made contact with her convoy on the 29th and proceeded as scheduled. It was…
The Many Types Of Ships Used In The Napoleonic Wars
It is a common misconception that the Navies of the Napoleonic Wars used only massive ships, crewed by hundreds of men, which would slowly close and…
The Pressing of American Seamen And The War of 1812
Imagine yourself as an American sailor; the year is 1804. You are 30 years old, born in 1774, and have spent most of your adult…
The Heroic US Coast Guard Cutter Crew Who Battled U-Boats In WWI – An Amazing Tale of Bravery
The Navy Cross is awarded for valor and heroism while in service with the United States Naval Forces. Since its creation in 1919, there have…