This Day in U.S. Coast Guard History - February 16

1926- Congress authorized the Secretary of Treasury to "acquire a site at New London, Connecticut, without cost to United States, and construct thereon buildings for the United States Coast Guard Academy at a total cost not to exceed $1,750,000."

 

1944- Justo Gonzalez became the first Hispanic-American to make the rank of chief petty officer when the Coast Guard promoted him to Chief Machinist's Mate (acting) on 16 February 1944.  The promotion was made permanent on 16 October 1948.

 

1993- The Haitian passenger ferry Neptune sank, sending 1,215 Haitians to their deaths.  Coast Guard units participated in the search and rescue operation but found no survivors.  They then assisted in recovering the bodies of those killed.

 

(Source: USCG Historian’s Office)