The official blog of the U.S. Coast Guard
Florence Finch Smith was the first Asian-American woman to don a Coast Guard uniform. In 1995, the Coast Guard honored Finch’s service by naming the administration building for her at Coast Guard Base Honolulu. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 101. Of her wartime activities, she stated “I feel very humble because my activities in the war effort were trivial compared with those of people who gave their lives for their country.”
The Coast Guard proudly recognizes the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This designation honors both Asian and Pacific Islander Americans for their contributions and sacrifices in advancing our great nation. This year’s theme is, “I Am Beyond.” The phrase captures the aspirations of the American spirit, how Americans of
Serving as a yeoman, the Coast Guard’s name for an administrative specialist, Blas is a critical behind-the-scenes component to keeping his Coast Guard shipmates always ready. Blas works in the air station’s servicing personnel office, where yeomen administratively take care of the air station’s 254 crewmembers, focusing heavily on customer service.
The Coast Guard proudly recognizes the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This designation honors both Asian and Pacific Islander Americans for their contributions and sacrifices in advancing our great nation. This year’s theme is, “I Am Beyond.” The phrase captures the aspirations of the American spirit, how Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have always sought to excel beyond the challenges that have limited equal opportunity in America.