Funeral service to be held for first African American graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard Academy Contact: USCGA Public Affairs Office: (860) 444-8270 After Hours: (860) 857-5544 Academy online newsroom

Funeral service to be held for first African American graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

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NEW LONDON, Conn. — A funeral service for retired U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Merle J. Smith, Jr., will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 9 at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Chapel.

The health and safety of all attendees is paramount as the pandemic continues. In accordance with Coast Guard Academy COVID-19 protocols, attendees will be required to provide a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before the funeral service for seating within the Chapel. 

Verification of COVID-19 requirements will occur at the Deshon Street Gate. Unvaccinated individuals or individuals who cannot provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test will not be able to enter the chapel and instead will be required to view the service socially distanced and masked via livestream in Leamy Hall Auditorium. 

The funeral service will be available on livestream and can be viewed at: https://uscga.video/cdr-merle-j-smith-funeral. 

-USCG-