The U.S. Coast Guard performs many diverse missions such as Maritime Safety (search and rescue, international ice patrol, port security), Maritime Mobility (aids to navigation, icebreaking services), Maritime Security (drug interdiction, alien migrant interdiction, law and treaty enforcement), National Defense (homeland security, general defense duties) and Protection of Natural Resources (foreign vessel inspections, marine pollution prevention and enforcement).
Why so many different types of missions? Perhaps it's because the Coast Guard can trace its roots to many diverse organizations - the Lighthouse Service, Revenue Cutter Service, Steamboat Inspection Service, Life-Saving service, and Bureau of Navigation. The modern day Coast Guard was formed on January 28, 1915, through the combining of the Life-Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service. However, it is widely considered to be the oldest branch of the military; dating back to August 4, 1790. Many changes occurred over the years, with the Coast Guard finally taking on the missions of the Lighthouse Service on July 1, 1939.
Playing important roles in nearly all major conflicts, the Coast has "fought in almost every war since the Constitution became the law of the land in 1789." The very first shots of the American Civil War were fired by the Revenue Service Cutter Harriet Lane. During World War II, Coast Guard ships patrolled the North Atlantic, providing protection to supply ships; they sank fourteen German and Japanese submarines, and two German ships. Petty Officer Douglas Munro was the first, and only, Coast Guardsman to be awarded the Medal of Honor "for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty." He sacrificed his life during the evacuation of Marines at Guadalcanal.
Coast Guard units assisted in the evacuation of the Korean Peninsula, patrolled the rivers of Vietnam, and provided port security in both Gulf Wars. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, they worked with the U.S. Navy in providing escort protection for supply ships transiting the Straight of Gibraltar. They also supported Navy operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf.
In March, 2003, the Coast Guard was transferred from the Department of Treasury to the Department of Homeland Security. It carries out its many missions with approximately 35,000 active duty, and 8,000 reserve members. Another 35,000 volunteers, called Auxiliarists, assist the Coast Guard on a daily basis. These men and women serve along side active and reserve