NAV EX 2nd Qtr. 2017 NavEx 2nd Qtr 2017 | Page 12

USCG Aux The Birth of the U.S. Coast Guard RACING STRIPE Story by Bob Carlson It was October 19, 1956. The USCG Cutter Pontchartrain received a distress call from a passenger aircraft en route from Hawaii to California. The Pan American Clipper had lost an engine and was about to lose another one. The aircraft could not make land. The Pontchartrain was on ocean station1 and had the time to respond with a two-mile long frosting of foam on the water. The plane made a water ditch, and within minutes, two of Pontchartrain’s small boats were at the rescue site. All of the passengers were rescued. It is believed that once safely on board, one of the survivors exclaimed, “thank goodness for the Navy.” This situation, as well as many others, proved that the general public did not recognize the Coast Guard. Imagery was very important in 1961 to newly-elected President John F. Kennedy. He began to remake the image of the president, beginning with redecorating the White House interior and Lafayette Square. President Kennedy called on a famous industrial designer, Raymond Loewy to redesign Air Force 12 One. This successful redesign led to discussions to improve the visual image of the federal government. In May 1963, President Kennedy recommended the Coast Guard be the first to get an imagery overhaul called the Integrated Visual Identification Program. The design firm of Raymond Loewy/William Snaith, Inc. was contracted to develop an identification USCG Aux NAVIGATO