| Russell Randolph Waesche, Sr. | |
|---|---|
Adm. Russell R. Waesche, Sr. |
|
| Born | January 6, 1886 Thurmont, Maryland |
| Died | October 17, 1946 (aged 60) U.S. Naval Hospital Bethesda, Maryland |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Revenue Cutter Service United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1906–1946 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Commandant of the Coast Guard |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Commendation Ribbon |
Russell Randolph Waesche, Sr. (January 6, 1886-October 17, 1946). Waesche served as the eighth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, overseeing the service during World War II. He also holds the distinction of being the longest serving Commandant, serving ten years in command of the United States Coast Guard. In addition, he was the first to hold the ranks of Vice Admiral[1] and full Admiral[2] within the Coast Guard.
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Waesche was born and raised in Thurmont, Maryland. Following graduation from high school, he attended Purdue University for a year before transferring to the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction and accepting an appointment as a cadet in 1904. He graduated from the Revenue Cutter Service Academy in 1906.
After graduating with the rank of ensign, Wasche served in the North Atlantic, the Great Lakes, and the Pacific Northwest. In 1911, Waesche commanded the USRC Arcata and the USRC Pamlico. In 1915, Wasche was assigned to headquarters in Washington, D.C. While stationed in Washington 1915 he took an active part in creating the Coast Guard with the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the Lifesaving Service. Waesche remained in Washington and in 1916 became the head of the communications division. During World War I, Waesche remained in Washington.
In 1919, the 18th Amendment was passed, and Waesche was assigned to enforce Prohibition at sea. He commanded various destroyers in preventing "rum runners" from entering port. He commanded the USCGC Beale (CG-9), and the USCGC Tucker (CG-23). Waesche also commanded the cutters USCGC Boutwell (1927) and USRC Snohomish (1908).
In February 1932 he became Liaison Officer in the War Plans Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. After completion of this duty he served as Aide to Commandant Harry G. Hamlet, then he was Chief of the Finance Division, and Assistant Commandant. He was appointed Commandant in 1936 and was largely responsible for the merger of the Lighthouse Service with the Coast Guard in 1939. He was also instrumental in organizing a strong Coast Guard Reserve.
Waesche retired from the Coast Guard on December 31, 1945. In March, 1946, President Truman nominated the ten top wartime Generals and Admirals of the United States Armed Forces who were to retain permanently their wartime rank. Admiral Waesche was one of them.
Waesche died in October 1946, nine months after retiring as Commandant, at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland due to complications of leukemia. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
For his service during World War II, Wasche was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Ribbon.
The cutter USCGC Waesche is named in his honor
Russell R. Waesche at Find a Grave
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Harry G. Hamlet |
Commandant of the Coast Guard 1936—1946 |
Succeeded by Joseph F. Farley |