- On View
- Military History Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Manufactured by
- Jacob Reed's Sons, American, 1824 - 1983
- Worn by
- CMDR Smith, Merle J. Jr., American, died 2021
- Subject of
- United States Coast Guard, American, founded 1790
- Date
- 1988
- Medium
- wool (textile) with leather, metal, thread and plastic
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 32 × 19 3/4 in. (81.3 × 50.2 cm)
- Caption
- Commander Merle J. Smith, Jr. became the first African American graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1966. While serving in Vietnam as a cutter commander, Smith became the first African American to command a U.S. warship in close-quarters combat and was awarded the Bronze Star for actions in 1969.
- Description
- A United States Coast Guard Commander's dinner dress blue jacket worn by CMDR Merle J. Smith, Jr. Each sleeve has three gold stripes and a United States shield at the cuff. Each side of the jacket has an angled row of three gold buttons, with one button missing from the proper right side. Two more smaller gold buttons are at the center of the jacket opening. Inside the proper left side near the front is a label in yellow print stitched to the interior lining: "TAILORED FOR THE / UNITED STATES / COAST GUARD / ACADEMY / by Jacob Reed's Sons / FINE UNIFORMS - SINCE 1824."
- Classification
- Clothing - Military Uniforms
- Type
- uniforms
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Merle J. Smith, Jr.
- Object number
- 2014.32.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




