This Day in U.S. Coast Guard History – January 28
1885-Keeper Marcus Hanna of the Cape Elizabeth Light Station saved two men from the wrecked schooner Australia. For this rescue Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal. He was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Port Hudson in 1863. He is the only person to have ever received both awards. 1915- President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the "Act to Create the Coast Guard," an act passed by Congress on 20 January 1915 that combined the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service to form the Coast Guard (38 Stat. L., 800). The Coast Guard, however, still considers the date of the founding of the Revenue Cutter Service, 4 August 1790, as its "official" birthday, even though the Lighthouse Service, absorbed in 1939, is even older than that, dating to 7 August 1789.
This Day in Coast Guard History – Jan. 28
1885-Keeper Marcus Hanna of the Cape Elizabeth Light Station saved two men from the wrecked schooner Australia. For this rescue Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal. He was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Port Hudson in 1863. He is the only person to have ever received both awards. 1915- President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the "Act to Create the Coast Guard," an act passed by Congress on 20 January 1915 that combined the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service to form the Coast Guard (38 Stat. L., 800). The Coast Guard, however, still considers the date of the founding of the Revenue Cutter Service, 4 August 1790, as its "official" birthday, even though the Lighthouse Service, absorbed in 1939, is even older than that, dating to 7 August 1789.
Farragut Christened
The 49th of 62 planned Arleigh Burke Class Guided-Missile Destroyers honoring Admiral David Glasgow Farragut was christened July 23, 2005 at the Bath Iron Work, Bath Maine. The Honorable Susan M. Collins, Maine senator and ship’s sponsor broke a bottle of champague across the bow to christen FARRAGUT in a time-honored navy tradition. In attendance was Commander Deidre L. McLay, USN the Prospective Commanding Officer who will become the first commanding officer of FARRAGUT (DDG 99). FARRAGUT, designated DDG 99, is the fifth ship to carry the name, FARRAGUT. Four previous ships have been named FARRAGUT: a torpedo boat (TB-11) in 1899; a destroyer (DD 300) in 1920…
Navy to Commission New Guided-Missile Destroyer
The book cover of “Farragut, America’s First Admiral” by Naval Historical Center historian Robert J. Schneller, Jr. Adm. Farragut was appointed the U.S. Navy’s first four-star Admiral in 1866, but is most famous for his cry at the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 1864: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” U.S. Navy photo. The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Farragut (DDG 99), June 10, during a ceremony in Mayport, Fla. Sen. Mel Martinez will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Sen. Susan Collins will serve as the ship’s sponsor. The ship’s name honors Adm. David Glasgow Farragut (1801-1870). One of the Union's great heroes, Farragut gained fame for his exploits while in command of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron during the Civil War.
