Owen W. Siler

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Admiral Owen Wesley Siler (born January 10, 1922) served as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1974 to 1978.

Owen Siler was born in Seattle, Washington and raised in Santa Maria, California. He graduated from Santa Maria Junior College in 1940, and transferred to the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, graduating a year early due to World War II. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the assault troop transport ship, USS Hunter Liggett, and participated in the invasion of Bougainville.

During the war, he quickly advanced through the ranks serving as Gunnery Officer, Assistant Navigator, and Deck Watch officer. In the immediate aftermath of the war, he participated in the U.S. occupation of Northern Honshū, Japan.

Upon returning to the United States in April, 1946, he briefly served as a Personnel Officer at the Coast Guard Training Center in Alameda, California, before his assignment as Navigator of the USCGC Taney.

From 1971 until his appointment as Commandant, he served as Commander of the St. Louis-based 2nd Coast Guard District.