USCG to Celebrate 222nd Anniversary Aboard Historic Destroyer

The US Coast Guard to celebrate its foundational anniversary aboard 'USS Slater' on the Hudson River

The United States Coast Guard, one of the country's five armed services,is a unique agency of the federal government. The service was founded on August 4, 1790 when the first Congress authorized the construction of ten vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling.

Known variously as the Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew.

It is appropriate to celebrate the Coast Guard’s Birthday aboard the USS SLATER as during World War II the Coast Guard manned hundreds of Navy and Army vessels including 30 Destroyer Escorts. Coast Guard-manned ships hunted enemy submarines, protected convoys to Europe, delivered troops and supplies to the various theaters of the war, and operated landing craft which delivered troops to the invasion beaches.

The volunteers and staff of the USS SLATER will commemorate the 222nd Birthday of the United States Coast Guard on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. with a ceremony aboard the ship in Albany. “Coasties” and their friends and families are invited to attend.