Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Russell
Randolph
Waesche
, Sr.
January 6, 1886

–

October 17, 1946

Born:

Thurmont

, 

Maryland

Home:

Chevy Chase

, 

Maryland

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Russell Waesche was commissioned in 1906 through the School of Instruction of the Revenue Cutter Service. He became the first member of the Coast Guard to achieve the rank of Vice Admiral, and later, as Admiral. He served as the EIGHTH Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, and was the longest serving Commandant, serving ten years in command of the United States Coast Guard. He retired as a U.S. Coast Guard Admiral in 1946. His oldest son also graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and retired as a Rear Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1941 – August 31, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 348 (March 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Russell R. Waesche, Sr., United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 7 December 1941 to 31 August 1945. Admiral Waesche was largely responsible for the consistent development of the United States Coast Guard from a peacetime organization of approximately 15,000 to a wartime force of more than 170,000 officers and members. Under his supervision the Coast Guard distinguished itself in supporting landing operations of the Army, Navy and Marines, on convoying merchant ships and in other hazardous tasks.