Evolving Defense Roles

A federal efficiency drive nearly erased the Revenue Cutter Service. Instead, Sumner Kimball and Ellsworth Bertholf turned crisis into a merger that joined cutters with lifesaving stations, created the modern Coast Guard in 1915, and forged a military service ready for World War I.

From Hamilton’s “few armed vessels” to cutters and LEDETs in modern war zones, a small revenue force evolved into a full-fledged armed service that has answered every call from the age of sail to the Global War on Terrorism.

“Charlie remembered the overall feeling of frustration at the lack of communication, or “voice,” in matters that affected every sailor in the field.”

The Coast Guard officially welcomed its tenth Legend Class National Security Cutter, USCGC Calhoun WMSL 759, in a commissioning ceremony April 20, 2024, in Charleston, South Carolina.