Merle Smith
From WikiAlpha
Merle James Smith was the second African-American to be appointed to attend the Coast Guard academy, and, in 1966, was the first to graduate.[1][2][3]
Smith was named after his father, a Colonel in the United States Army. His wife Jo-Ann Henry, was the daughter of Oliver Henry, a retired Chief Warrant Officer]], the first African-American to transfer from being a Mess Steward to a technical discipline.
Smith's first command was the USCGC Cape Wash. Smith served in Vietnam, where he earned a Bronze Star. Smith retired a Lieutenant Commander.
References
- ↑ William Theissen. "Oliver Henry - Warrior, Leader, Trailblazer". Maritime Executive. https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/oliver-henry-warrior-leader-trailblazer.
- ↑ Jean E. Henry (October 1998). "Letters". Ebony magazine: p. 14. https://books.google.ca/books?id=qwUDRnr2e-AC&pg=PA14&dq=%22Oliver+Henry%22+USCG+OR+%22Coast+guard%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi24OXqnevqAhWHgnIEHSKqCYMQ6AEwAHoECAEQAg#v=onepage&q=%22Oliver%20Henry%22%20USCG%20OR%20%22Coast%20guard%22&f=false. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
- ↑ William H. Thiesen. "Pioneers of Ethnic Diversity in the American Sea Services". U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office. p. 65. http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/Bulletin_HistoryLesson_Oct_11.pdf. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
