Author of The United States Coast Guard in World War II: A History of Domestic and Overseas Actions at Navy Memorial

Thomas P. Ostrom Will Discuss and Sign His Book Followed by a Q&A 

Wednesday, August 4, 2010, 12:00 NOON 
Free and open to the public

At home and overseas, the United States Coast Guard served a variety of vital functions in World War II, providing service that has been under-recognized in histories of the war. Teaming up with other international forces, the Coast Guard provided crewmembers for Navy and Army vessels, carried troops, food, and military supplies overseas, and landed Marine and Army units on distant and dangerous shores.

This thorough history details these and other important missions, which included combat engagement with submarines and kamikaze planes. On the home front, port security missions involving search and rescue, fire fighting, explosives, espionage and sabotage presented their own unique dangers and challenges.

A member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve from 1961 to 1969, Thomas P. Ostrom taught anthropology, geography, and history at Rochester Community College in Minnesota before retiring. He is currently a member of the U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association, the U.S. Naval Institute, the National Maritime Historical Society, and the Navy Memorial.