A Moment in Time . . .

Public Health Service and the Coast Guard Uniform Submitted by LT Russell J. Graham, USPHS

Commissioned officers and other personnel of the U.S. Public Health Service have been an integral part of the mission and health care delivery system of the U.S. Coast Guard and its predecessors since the early 1870s. Early assignments of officers of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) to the Coast Guard were often aboard cutters or in support roles ashore. Many Corps officers detailed to the Coast Guard have served in combat conditions and a few were killed in the line of duty as a direct result of enemy action. Today, Corps officers detailed to the Coast Guard wear the Coast Guard uniform and are virtually indistinguishable from Coast Guard officers. Corps officers play a vital role in the mission of the Coast Guard in tasks ranging from routine medical care, dental care, environmental health surveys, and standing watches. The early uniforms of Corps officers assigned to the Coast Guard were the distinctive uniforms of the Public Health Service (Marine-Hospital Service). The most commonly prescribed uniform of the late 19th century and early 20th century was the “Dress Suite,” which consisted of a “a frock coat of dark-blue; pantaloons of dark-blue cloth, cap, boots made of patent leather, white gloves, and sword and sword belt.” By World War I, Corps officers detailed to the Coast Guard and officers of the Coast Guard (Revenue Cutter Service) wore uniforms that were identical to Navy uniforms, with the only difference being the unique devices of the respective services. In late 1941, considerable discussions were underway between Surgeon General Parran, President Roosevelt, the Coast Guard, and the War Department regarding the assignment of Corps officers. One topic finalized was the uniforms that Corps officers would wear when assigned to the Coast Guard. In 1942, President Roosevelt amended the 1937 Uniform Regulations of the Public Health Service and authorized the Surgeon General to prescribe the Coast Guard uniform, provided that the unique insignia of the Public Health Service is retained. This change set the stage to allow Corps officers to wear the Coast Guard uniform today.

Current Issue Front Page