#VeteranOfTheDay Coast Guard Veteran Clarence Samuels - VAntage Point

In 1920, Samuels immigrated to the United States. On July 16, 1920, he was sworn in as a seaman second class while aboard USCGC Earp at Balboa Canal Zone. Although he was Hispanic, the intake documents only had classifications of white or Black, so Samuels was categorized as Black. As a person of color, Samuels was initiated into messman duty in February 1921.
Samuels spent his first decade in the Coast Guard at sea, aboard USCGC Earp, Swift, Shawnee, Mojave and Argus. During this time, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States on July 21, 1923.
In January 1928, Samuels was assigned to Section Base Four for six months before assuming command of Coast Guard Patrol Boat AB-15 operating out of Savannah, Georgia, becoming the first person of color to command a U.S government vessel since Michael Healy. After nine years in the Coast Guard, on Oct. 10, 1929, he received the rank of chief quartermaster. He was the first person of color to become a chief petty officer in the Coast Guard.

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Thanks for the share MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.