08/04/2025
The history of the U.S. Coast Guard officially began on August 4, 1790, when Congress approved U.S. Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton’s proposal to build 10 cutter vessels to protect the new nation’s revenue, enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling. Now, 234 years later, the U.S. Coast Guard is the oldest continuous seagoing service in the U.S.
The Coast Guard was originally called the Revenue-Marine, but by the 1860s was known as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. The U.S. Coast Guard we know today was formed through the merger of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Life-Saving Service in January 1915.
The Coast Guard is a multimission, maritime military service and is the smallest of the five branches of the U.S. armed services. Its mission is to protect the public, the environment and U.S. economic interests in U.S. waterways, along the coast or in international waters.
Creed of the U.S. Coast Guard
I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman.
I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world.
I never, by word or deed, will bring reproach upon the fair name of my service, nor permit others to do so unchallenged.
I will cheerfully and willingly obey all lawful orders.
I will always be on time to relieve, and shall endeavor to do more, rather than less, than my share.
I will always be at my station, alert and attending to my duties.
I shall, so far as I am able, bring to my seniors solutions, not problems.
I shall live joyously, but always with due regard for the rights and privileges of others.
I shall endeavor to be a model citizen in the community in which I live.
I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country, but give it freely to rescue those in peril.
With God’s help, I shall endeavor to be one of His noblest works ...
A United States Coast Guardsman.
Honoring our veterans
U-Haul was founded by Navy veteran L.S. "Sam" Shoen and his wife, Anna Mary Carty Shoen, in 1945. Since the Company's founding, veterans from all branches of the U.S. and Canadian military have joined Team U-Haul and contributed to the success, growth and prosperity of our Company. We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of every military veteran.
Happy birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard! And, thank you to every U.S. Coast Guard veteran for your service to the country.