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]
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.
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- ↑ 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.