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MSCoE CG and CSM Send: Happy 234th Birthday, U.S. Coast Guard

By Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge ArzabalaAugust 1, 2024

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — On Aug. 4, we recognize the United States Coast Guard’s birthday. For 234 years, the men and women of the Coast Guard have diligently safeguarded waterways and coasts.

On Aug. 4, 1790, Congress authorized funds for 10 cutter sailing vessels — a fleet known as the Revenue-Marine, and later renamed the Revenue Cutter Service — to patrol the new nation’s coastline, enforce tariffs and protect revenue. In 1878, the United States Life-Saving Service was founded to provide humanitarian and life-saving efforts for shipwrecked mariners and passengers. On January 28, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson merged these two agencies, and the United Stated Coast Guard was formed.

The Coast Guard has contributed to our nation’s security in every major conflict. Today, they continue to keep citizens and seafarers safe by patrolling waterways and performing missions in support of homeland defense, including security of America’s ports and coasts; maritime response and law enforcement; and defense readiness. On an international level, the Coast Guard supports search and rescue, environmental protection and marine safety operations.

Happy birthday to the United States Coast Guard and to our past and currently serving Coast Guardsmen. We are very proud to serve with you!

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