"This collection of essays, written by the some of the foremost historians in the field of Coast Guard history, highlights the wartime roles played by the United States' oldest federal maritime service, from its inception through the last decade of the twentieth century. It is organized into three distinct sections: "Beginnings"-which includes a short overview of the US Revenue Cutter Service (the USCG's primary forerunner, established in 1790) and two chapters on World War I; "Conflagration"-the role of the USCG during the World War II era; and "The Cold War and Beyond"-an assessment of the Coast Guard's participation in the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War of 1991. Because the Coast Guard operated as part of the Department of the Navy during the two world wars, its service and history is often overlooked or swallowed up by the larger service. The USCG's limited participation in cold and hot wars since 1945 is often ignored altogether. This anthology provides readers with a solid overview while highlighting some of the service's most important contributions as a combatant force"-- Provided by publisher.

"The highest traditions of any service" : the U.S. Coast Guard's attempt to save the British Collier Wellington /Robert M. Browning Jr. -- The loss of the USS Tampa and its lasting legacy / Arlyn Danielson -- "Remember Pearl Harbor" : the World War II odyssey of the USCG Cutter Taney / Paul Cora -- "Bringing home the bacon" : the U.S. Coast Guard's participation in the Atlantic convoy operations of World War II / Scott Price -- Ice, icebergs, and war : the U.S. Coast Guard in Greenland during World War II / Dennis L. Noble -- Naval operating base cactus and U.S. Coast Guard operations in the battle for Guadalcanal / William Theisen -- the U.S. Coast Guard and the Pacific war / Robert M. Browning Jr. -- "The mission is to put the army on the beach" : USCG flotilla 10 at bloody Omaha / Mark A. Snell -- The auxiliary at war, 1941-1945 / John A. Tilley -- The forgotten service during the forgotten war : the U.S. Coast Guard's role in the Korean conflict / Scott Price -- Patrolling inshore waters from demilitarized zone to Qui Nhon, 1967-1968 : a memoir / Paul C. Scotti -- To patrol and interdict : the USCG Cutter Taney in Operation Market Time, 1969-1970 / Paul Cora -- "War time usefulness ... is a by-product of the Coast Guard" : the origins and early history of the U.S. Coast Guard reserve's port security units / John R. Olson.