African-Americans in the U.S. Coast Guard
Coast Guard Station Tiana, 1942-1944
A Historic Photo Gallery
The following photographs of Coast Guard Lifeboat Station Tiana, on Hampton Bay, Long Island, New York, were provided to the Coast Guard Historian's Office by Mr. Kenneth Sutherland and SSgt. Thomas L. Johnson, USAF (Ret.). They are a series of photographs taken between the years of 1942 to 1944, when the station was manned by an African-American crew. They were commanded by an African-American chief petty officer, CBM Cecil R. Foster, who was the Officer in Charge of Lifeboat Station Tiana during those years. Through these photos, one may glimpse at what life was like at a lifeboat station during World War II. Unfortunately, little else is now know of the history of the station or the men who manned it. But these photos demonstrate that Station Pea Island was not the only Coast Guard station manned by an African-American crew prior to the full integration of the service.We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Sutherland and Staff Sergeant Johnson for insuring that this important piece of Coast Guard history was preserved for future generations.
"FRONT VIEW OF TIANA LIFEBOAT STATION."
Coast Guard Lifeboat Station Tiana, sometime between 1942 and 1944. This station was manned by an African-American crew during World War II.
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"CBM FOSTER, OFFICER IN CHARGE OF TIANA LIFEBOAT STATION."
Chief Boatswain's Mate (R) Cecil B. Foster, O.I.C, Coast Guard Lifeboat Station Tiana from 1942-1944.
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"THE MOTOR SURFBOAT ANSWERING A CALL FOR ASSISTANCE."
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"SEMAPHORING AT TIANA LIFEBOAT STATION."
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"CHOW TIME AT TIANA LIFEBOAT STATION."
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"APPLYING ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION TO 'VICTIM' AT TIANA LIFEBOAT STATION."
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"APPLYING ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION TO 'VICTIM' AT TIANA LIFEBOAT STATION."
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"TIANA LIFEBOAT STATION'S BASEBALL TEAM."
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"TIANA LIFEBOAT STATION."
Courtesy of Kenneth Sutherland.
"Knight (second from left); CBM Foster (holding paper); C.B. Johnson (far right)."
Courtesy of SSgt. Johnson.
No information available.
Courtesy of SSgt. Johnson.
No information available.
Courtesy of SSgt. Johnson.
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