On View
Military History Gallery
Exhibition
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
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
Topic
Clothing and dress
Military
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
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.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5976390a7-0cb6-4f0f-a73e-eab4fd39842c

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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