Go to "The Roost of the Duck" to find out more about how this Walt Disney cartoon character fits into the history of the Coast Guard Auxiliary

Internal Links to Archived Material

Divisions -- How they Function in the Northwest - 1945 (pdf file) -- The Norwester, 1945

Portland (Oregon) Flotilla 75 - Rose City Auxilarymen (pdf file) -- The Norwester, 1945

10000 Skippers -- America's Unsung Heroes of the Battle on the Seas - Mechanix Illustrated, February 1943

The C.G.A. on Inland Waters -- Where the Auxiliary Proves Its Worth -- Yachting Magazine, May 1949

This is a somewhat random collection of historical material relating to the history of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. This collection is not meant to be a complete history of the Auxiliary. Rather, it provides bits of information that, taken as a whole, gives a good idea of what serving in the Auxiliary (and the Temporary Reserve) were like through the direct reporting of those who actually served. Several official and unofficial summary histories are available elsewhere. The front cover of one of these is reproduced at the bottom of this page.

Though the pages of this site uses web space provided by CG Auxiliary Flotilla 12-5 in Fremont, California, posting of the material is neither sanctioned nor sponsored by the Coast Guard, the Auxiliary or the Department of Homeland Security. In many ways it is meant to be a supplement to the Robert Rose USCG Auxiliary Historical Research Center housed at the web site of the DirAux West Computer Support Group History Team. That site contains what has been described as a "treasure trove" of historical information about the Auxiliary. Some of the material will be directly linked to from that site -- some may not.

For a start, much of the material will be gleaned from information contained in an anniversary edition of "The Norwester," a collection of articles and stories describing the activities of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Temporary Reserve from 1939 to 1945 -- published by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, 13th Naval District, Seattle, Washington.

(It will also include some material I inherited from my father, who was FC of the no longer existent Flotilla 13-5 on Long Island back in the 1940s and 1950s -- plus other historical information I am able to collect.)

This edition of the Norwester opened with a "Dedication" and an "Introduction," both of which provide a flavor for the mindset and outlook of Auxiliarists of the day:

TO THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES

A Dedication

In humility, and with reverent appreciation, this anniversary issue of The Norwester is dedicated to the men of the United States Coast Guard who have given their lives in combat during this war.

Because of their sacrifices the nation has achieved victory after days of peril. Because of them the United States Coast Guard has achieved new laurels, and deeper traditions which have set higher goals for those who wear the same uniforms to which they gave unending honor

Auxiliarymen who served in home waters have ever had before them the knowledge that they were privileged to back up those who were in the combat areas abroad.

INTRODUCTION

"When work on this anniversary issue of The Norwester began far, far back in the war days, it was planned that the issue would serve both as a sort of middle of the road history and morale builder for members of the Coast Guard Temporary Reserve and members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. As production dragged along, far beyond the originally set publication date, the "issue" began to assume more the proportions of a catalogue of Coast Guard Auxiliary activities.

"The staff could not foresee that the war would end so suddenly and that Temporary Reserve activities would be curtailed. Hence, the reader of this issue must, as he thumbs through the pages, consider its contents as stemming from patriotic American citizens who were doing their small part to speed the victory.

"It will be difficult, in years to come, to understand what motivated the men who made up the Temporary Reserve and just what held them together. It will be difficult, that is, if patriotism wanes: if love of country and respect for fellow men dies. Perhaps, though, this issue of The Norwester will help those who read it in peace times realize the necessity of maintaining constant vigilance; perhaps it will help them understand the deep-seated and sincere patriotism that seems to be a part of every American, young and old.

"The war is too soon over for those who names are on the pages of this book to forget why they served. But for others who may read it, the editors would like to point out that of the men who served in the Temporary Reserve, none were asking anything of their nation but the right to be of some assistance. Many were veterans of the First World War; most were above draft age, or were not able, for other reasons, to serve in the regular armed forces. Early in the war yachtsmen patrolled inland waterways in their own boats, in their own uniforms, with their own gasoline and food -- yes, even with their own armament.

"It may be hard to realize, now that the enemy has been so completely subdued, that there was a time when there was real danger of combat on the home shores. It was in such a period that the wartime history of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Temporary Reserves began. It is against such a background that material contained herein was written. Will the reader please remember this, and will he please consider this "issue" of The Norwester as a permanent, and perhaps a final record of the wartime affairs of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Temporary Reserve of the Thirteenth Naval District?"

--- Ensign (T) Dan P. Cheney (1945)

A 1943 magazine advertisement honoring the members of the Auxiliary and the Temporary Reserve.

Available from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office