Bogie the Coastie (and his yacht)

Aug. 4 is the birthday of the Coast Guard, founded in 1790 with congressional authorization to build the first set of vessels aimed to help combat smuggling and enforce tariffs and taxes. Famous figures from many arenas are former Coasties, serving in a variety of roles and locations.

The Bridges acting family: Lloyd left his Columbia Pictures career to serve during World War II; Beau served eight years in the Coast Guard Reserve, and Jeff seven. One of the latter’s jobs was as a buoy tender, chipping paint.

Humphrey Bogart, actor: volunteered not only himself but his yacht Santana to the Coast Guard Temporary Reserve during World War II.

Walter Cronkite, news reporter: attained the honorary rank of commodore in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Perry Ellis, fashion designer: served six months on active duty in the early 1960s.

Alex Haley, author: served 20 years, including in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Enlisted as a mess attendant, he retired as a chief petty officer journalist.

Arnold Palmer, golfer: interrupted his college career to serve three years; built a nine-hole course by hand at the Coast Guard Training Center in New Jersey. 

Ted Turner, entrepreneur/philanthropist: the lifelong sailing fan served in the Coast Guard Reserve in locations including Charleston, S.C., and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.