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
ca. 1966
Medium
wool (textile) with leather, metal, thread and plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D: 31 3/4 × 19 1/2 in. (80.6 × 49.5 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 black USCG Academy Cade Parade Dress Blue jacket with two columns of gold buttons down the front. Eighteen buttons in total are sewn to the front of the jacket. The collar is piped in gold with two anchors attached to either side of the front of the collar. The anchors face out toward the shoulders. On either cuff is a small gold band above which is a gold stylized United States shield. At the back of each cuff are three gold buttons vertically stitched up the sleeve. Inside the left side near the front is a label in yellow print stitched to the interior lining that reads "TAILORED FOR THE/ UNITED STATES/ COAST GUARD/ ACADEMY/ by Jacob Reed's Sons/ FINE UNIFORMS - SINCE 1824."
Place used
New London, New London County, Connecticut, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing - Military Uniforms
Type
uniforms
Topic
Clothing and dress
Men
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
2014.32.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5f60dd77b-294f-49a8-bb0f-0a52a7d8e2be

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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