This Day in Coast Guard History – Nov. 23

1942-The Coast Guard Women's Reserve, otherwise known as SPARs, was organized.

1970- Simas I. Kudirka, a Soviet fisherman, attempted to defect from his Soviet fishing vessel to the CGC Vigilant, during a meeting between the Soviets and the U.S. on fishing rights. The cutter's commanding officer allowed other Soviet crewmen to board the cutter and forcibly remove him.

(Source: USCG Historian’s Office)