Katana VentraIP

USCGC Duane

USCGC Duane (WPG-33/WAGC-6/WHEC-33) (earlier known as the USCGC William J. Duane) was a cutter in the United States Coast Guard. Her keel was laid on May 1, 1935, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was launched on June 3, 1936, as a search and rescue and law enforcement vessel.

History

The Treasury-class Coast Guard cutters (sometimes referred to as the "Secretary" or 327-foot class) were all named for former Secretaries of the Treasury Department. The cutter Duane was named for William J. Duane, who served as the third Secretary of the Treasury to serve under President Andrew Jackson.


At the time of the Duane's decommissioning in 1985, she was the oldest active U.S. military vessel; the current oldest, the USCGC Eagle, was also built in 1936 for the German military, but only commissioned into U.S. service in 1946 after being ceded as a war reparation after World War II.

Presidential Unit Citation

American Campaign Medal

World War II Victory Medal

China Service Medal

with one battle star

National Defense Service Medal

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

with two battle stars

Vietnam Service Medal

Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Vietnam Campaign

American Defense Service Medal

with four battle stars

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

with four battle stars

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Navy Occupation Service Medal

with two battle stars

Philippine Liberation Ribbon

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Frame Unit Citation

"People Who Make a Difference," a 1991 episode of the television series Return to the Sea, includes footage of a dive on the wreck of Duane.

PBS

at history.uscg.mil

USCGC Duane