ALCOAST 227/19 - JUL 2019 TWO BUILDINGS NAMED FOR COAST GUARD HEROES

R 081033 JUL 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-092//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N05700//
ALCOAST 227/19
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ:  TWO BUILDINGS NAMED FOR COAST GUARD HEROES
A: Policy for Naming of Cutters and Shore Facilities, COMDTINST 5726.10 (series)
1. The Commandant approved recommendations of the Standing Board for Naming Vessels and
Shore Facilities to name two facilities after Coast Guard heroes. Authority to name those
facilities is effective immediately.
2. Commander Carlton Skinner
    A. USCG Sector Guam requested naming its new Sentinel-Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC)
support building the CDR Carlton Skinner Building.
    B. CDR Skinner served in the U.S. Coast Guard, at times incorporated into the Navy, from
1941 to 1945. He served aboard several cutters, including as Commanding Officer of USCGC
SEA CLOUD and USS HOAQUIM during World War II. He championed desegregation efforts by
successfully sailing with the first fully integrated crew in the history of the Coast Guard
and Navy. Former MCPOCG Vincent W. Patton III said of CDR Skinner: “I will say without
question that he was the front guard of integrating the U.S. military forces in World
War II, and the man got very little credit for it.” President Truman appointed CDR Skinner
as the first non-military Governor of Guam, a post he held from 27 September 1949 until
20 January 1953. He wrote and secured passage of the Organic Act of 1950 – Guam’s
Constitution. The act established local government and self-rule as an unincorporated
territory of the United States and remains in use today. After leaving the governor’s post
in 1953, CDR Skinner lived in various locations around the world, serving as Chief
Financial Officer for American President Lines, Colt Industries, and Fairbanks-Morse.
Presidents Kennedy and Johnson appointed Skinner to two consecutive terms on the South
Pacific Commission. Nearly 60 years after he left office, Skinner remains one of Guam’s
most recognized former Governors.
3. Master Chief Melvin Kealoha Bell.
    A. USCG Base Honolulu requested naming a building on Base the Master Chief Melvin
Kealoha Bell Building.
    B. A native Hawaiian, Master Chief Bell enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1938. After
serving aboard the USCGC TANEY, he was assigned to the District Communications Station at
Diamond Head Lighthouse. Bell was on duty on 7 December 1941 and transmitted the first
radio message warning vessels and military institutions of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Later, as a member of the Navy’s Fleet Radio Unit Pacific, he helped break the secret
Japanese Imperial Navy code that led to U.S. Navy victories in the Pacific. Bell was a
pioneer for minorities in the Service. He became the first Pacific Islander to advance to
Chief Petty Officer. In 1958, Bell became the first Master Chief for the Electronics
Technician rating and also, the first minority Master Chief in the history of the Coast
Guard. After 20 years of active duty, he retired and became a civilian employee for the
Coast Guard and later, the Navy. In 2004, he retired with a combined record of 65 years
military and civil service and was recognized by President George W. Bush for one of the
longest terms of federal service in U.S. history.
4. The Standing Board for Naming Vessels and Shore Facilities welcomes and encourages
units to submit names for consideration for unnamed facilities. Units considering naming
buildings should submit recommendations in accordance with REF (A). The following best
practices are offered to facilitate efficient and effective nominations:
    A. Area Commander Endorsements. The strongest packages are routed from the requesting
unit through their chain of command with endorsements at each level. Packages that have
been reviewed by the Area Historian and endorsed by the Area Commander help ensure proper
vetting, which the Board values.
    B. Previously Unrecognized Heroes. Units are encouraged to consider those Coast Guard
heroes who have received less recognition for their actions. Strong nominations include,
but are not limited to, Coast Guard personnel who were “firsts” or “lasts”; those who died
in the line of duty; war heroes; people who had a significant impact on Coast Guard history;
Lifesaving, Lighthouse and Revenue Cutter Service personnel; and persons who have earned
lifesaving medals. There is no shortage of people meeting these criteria. As such, the
Board is looking for a wider diversity of names that will tell our Service’s story to wider
swath of the American public. The Board strongly recommends against overuse of names that
are already well represented.
    C. Local Connection. Units are encouraged to identify Coast Guard heroes who have a
significant connection to the local area of the facility.
    D. Recognizing Living Coast Guard Heroes. The Service’s naming policy requires the
namesake be deceased with sufficient time lapsed to ensure that the name will withstand
the “test of time.” Units should refrain from requesting naming buildings after living
Coast Guard heroes or those who have recently passed away. In lieu of honoring a living
member with a naming submission, consider other recognition including Public Service Awards,
recognition ceremonies, Flag letters, etc.
    E. Coast Guard Historians. Units are encouraged to contact their respective Area Historian
in their efforts to identify, research, and consider Coast Guard heroes. The USCG Atlantic
Area Historian is Dr. William Thiesen at William.H.Thiesen@uscg.mil and (757) 398-6643. The
USCG Pacific Area Historian is Dr. David Rosen at David.S.Rosen@uscg.mil and (510) 437-5888.
    F. Outreach Opportunities. Upon approval of a naming request, units are encouraged to
host a facility naming ceremony and invite local veterans, friends of the Service,
descendants of the namesake, elected officials, and other engaged stakeholders. Recent
naming events garnered great support from the local communities and included media coverage.
5. Deadlines. The Standing Board for Naming Vessels and Shore Facilities convenes twice
a year to consider requests for naming facilities.
    A. June. All requests received from 1 December through 31 May will be considered during
the June board meeting.
    B. December. All requests received from 1 June through 30 November will be considered
during the December board meeting.
6. Questions regarding the Naming Board or the process for submitting a name may directed
to Gwenda Bradford, COMDT (CG-0923) via email at Gwenda.E.Bradford@uscg.mil.
7. RADM Melissa Bert, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.