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USCG Temporary
Reserves 1942-1945
USCG Auxiliary 1945-1969
A
history compiled from newspapers and documents
Collected
by James L. Williams, SM 3c
Complied
by Vernon A. Clarkson, USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 201
The history of Flotilla 201 began on
November 13, 1942, when the unit was formed during World War II. Initially the unit
had three members and was known as Flotilla 201 of the United States Coast
Guard Temporary Reserve. All members were volunteers who served with neither pay
nor uniform allowance. Members were scheduled for duty as their time allowed.
Each member could resign from the duty at any time, but it is to their credit that
most put in hundreds of duty hours. Some members gave 5000 hours during the war
years from 1942 to 1945.
In the ensuing years the membership roll
increased until, in June 1944, there were 529 active members. Before the
mustering out of the unit on June 26, 1945, approximately 800 active members
were on duty.
The duties of the volunteers increased as
their membership, skills and proficiency increased. In 1942 members were asked
to assist the Coast Guard in waterfront security. They usually patrolled on
foot in civilian clothes armed with a web belt and a nightstick. By December
1942, all waterfront guard duties were assigned to the Temporary Reserve.
In April of 1944 the reserves formed a 16,
member band which grew to 30 plus members. The band was active in parades,
military functions and entertainments. All of this was at members’ time and
expense.
At the mustering out ceremony on September
13, 1945, the unit’s commanding officer, Lt. Frank Soule, said, “You built this
organization into a dependable and loyal unit which, more than any of you will
ever know, helped to back the men on the fighting fronts and bring this war to
a successful and early termination.”
Members of the Temporary Reserve were
given the privilege of being disenrolled or to continue on inactive status.
Most elected inactive status, and they formed part of the USCG Auxiliary.
It should be noted that
the Flotilla was first called "Flotilla 201" and was so at the time the history
pages were written.
Links
to more history items are on the menu. This page is the History Home page.
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