Jacob Reed's Sons, American, 1824 - 1983 Search this
Worn by:
CMDR Merle J. Smith Jr., American, died 2021 Search this
Subject of:
United States Coast Guard, American, founded 1790 Search this
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)
Type:
uniforms
Date:
1988
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."