A Unique Instrument.

It can only be hoped that the Coast Guard will include its history as part of its operations rather than a mere function of public information.

Bill Wells.

Image from web site linked below message.

R 281909Z DEC 99 ZUI ASN-PAC363000074
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-I//
TO ALCOAST
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UNCLAS //N05720//
ALCOAST 242/99
COMDTNOTE 5720
SUBJ: REFLECTIONS ON COAST GUARD HERITAGE COAST GUARD ROLE DURING THE CONFLICT IN KOREA, 1950-1953.

1. I WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT UPON OUR ABILITIES TO SERVE THE NATION AS A UNIQUE INSTRUMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY. IN PARTICULAR, AS WE APPROACH THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR NATION'S SUPPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DURING THE KOREAN CONFLICT, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COAST GUARD'S CONTRIBUTION TO DEFEATING THE COMMUNIST OFFENSIVE.

2. WHEN NORTH KOREA INVADED SOUTH KOREA IN JUNE, 1950, THE COAST GUARD ONCE AGAIN ANSWERED THE NATION'S CALL TO ARMS. THE COAST GUARD'S PRESENCE IN KOREA BEGAN SOON AFTER THE END OF WORLD WAR II WHEN A COAST GUARD ADVISORY TEAM ASSISTED IN THE FORMATION OF A KOREAN COAST GUARD/NAVY. TWENTY-TWO CUTTERS SERVED ON OCEAN STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC DURING THE CONFLICT, CONDUCTING SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, COLLECTING WEATHER DATA, SERVING AS

COMMUNICATION RELAY SITES, AS WELL AS BEING READY TO ASSIST IN ANYEMERGENCIES. THESE CUTTERS, THROUGH THEIR EFFORTS, PROVIDED UNITED NATIONS' GROUND, NAVAL AND AIR FORCES WITH VALUABLE WEATHER INFORMATION AND WERE IN POSITION TO ASSIST TROOP AND SUPPLY TRANSPORTS. COAST GUARD AIRCRAFT STATIONED THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC ALSO STOOD READY TO ASSIST THE UNITED NATIONS' EFFORTS. ONE COAST GUARD SEAPLANE STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINES RESCUED THE CREW OF A NAVY RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT THAT WAS SHOT DOWN OFF THE

COAST OF COMMUNIST CHINA. AFTER RESCUING THE NAVY SURVIVORS THE COAST GUARD SEAPLANE CRASHED AFTER ONE ENGINE FAILED, KILLING FIVE MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD CREW. ANOTHER IMPORTANT MISSION WAS THAT OF MANNING THE EIGHT FAR EAST ASIA LORAN STATIONS, INCLUDING ONE AT PUSAN, KOREA. THESE STATIONS PROVIDED DIRECT NAVIGATION SUPPORT TO UNITED NATIONS' SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT ENGAGED IN THE KOREAN CONFLICT. ADDITIONALLY THE COAST GUARD'S FAR EASTERN SECTION AND A MERCHANT MARINE DETACHMENT BASED IN JAPAN PROVIDED LOGISTICAL

SUPPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS' MARITIME SUPPLY LINES TO THE FORCES IN KOREA. ON THE HOME FRONT CAPTAIN OF THE PORT DUTIES LENT THE COAST GUARD'S EXPERTISE IN CARGO HANDLING, LOADING OF AMMUNITION, AND SABOTAGE PREVENTION INSURING THE UNINTERRUPTED FLOW OF SUPPLIES. ALL OF THE COAST GUARD'S MISSIONS SERVED TO SUPPORT THE UNITED NATIONS' EFFORT TO PRESERVE A FREE AND DEMOCRATIC SOUTH KOREA. THE COAST GUARD IS INDEED A UNIQUE INSTRUMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY.

3. ACTION: AREA AND DISTRICT COMMANDERS, COMMANDERS OF MAINTENANCE AND LOGISTICS COMMANDS, COMMANDING OFFICERS OF HEADQUARTERS UNITS, ASSISTANT COMMANDANTS FOR DIRECTORATES, CHIEF COUNSEL AND SPECIAL STAFF OFFICERS AT HEADQUARTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SHARE THIS ALCOAST AND SPEAK TO THE UNIQUE NATURE OF OUR MILITARY AND MARITIME HERITAGE.

4. THE COAST GUARD WILL BE INVOLVED IN KOREAN WAR COMMEMORATION EVENTS BEGINNING IN THE SUMMER OF 2000, IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH DOD. QUESTIONS REGARDING HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO LT THOMAS M. FARRELL, USCGR, THE COAST GUARD'S OPERATIONS OFFICER FOR THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE, (703)602-2281, FAX (703) 604-0833. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO VIEW THE KOREAN WAR COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE'S WEBSITE AT <HTTP://KOREA50.ARMY.MIL/>

5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

6. RADM PATRICK M. STILLMAN, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR GOVERNMENTAL AND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SENDS.
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