This Day in U.S. Coast Guard History – November 11

1881-The crew of Life-boat Station No. 14, Eleventh District (Racine, WI) rendered service during the severest storm of the season The life-saving crew noticed several vessels running north for safety under bare poles and two of them made safely into the harbor. Observing this, the master of the schooner Lavinda tried to make the same haven, but the vessel became unmanageable, struck the south pier, immediately became waterlogged, and in five minutes was a wreck. The life-saving crew sprang for the lifeboat and put out to her assistance. They got alongside and managed to run a line from the wrecked vessel to the station tug H. Wetzel, which had steamed out to her relief. The tug soon towed her into the harbor.

1918-The Allied powers signed a cease-fire agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France on November 11, 1918, bringing World War I to a close.  Between the wars, November 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain, and France.  After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day of tribute to veterans of both world wars.  Beginning in 1954, the United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars.  Over 8,000 Coast Guardsmen served during the war and 111 were killed in action with the enemy.

1955-CGC Yocona, when 60 to 70 mph winds and heavy seas with 30 feet swells made it impossible to launch lifeboats some fifty miles off Cape Lookout Oregon, pulled alongside the sinking fishing vessel Ocean Pride, allowing its crew members to jump aboard the cutter to safety.

(Source: USCG Historian’s Office)