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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

NH 88121-KN

USCGC Duane (WAGC-33)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Romeo - Delta - Delta NRDD

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Presidential Unit Citation - China Service Medal (extended)
Second Row - American Defense Service Medal (with fleet clasp) - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (4)
Third Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Fourth Row - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Vietnam Service Medal (2) - Philippines Presidential Unit Citation
Fifth Row - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation - Philippines Liberation Medal (2) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal

Treasury Class Coast Guard Cutter:

USCGC Duane along with USCGC Campbell, USCGC Ingham, USCGC Taney, USCGC Spencer and Bibb were all converted to Amphibious Force Flagships in 1944. Superstructures were extended aft, armament was changed to two 5"/38 dual purpose gun mounts, and six 40mm gun mounts, a main mast was also added during conversion. All retained their Coast Guard designations except Duane. Duane was to be taken over by the Navy and designated USS Duane (AGC-6), but that plan was dropped and Duane retained her original designation as USCGC Duane (WAGC-33).

Laid down, 1 May 1935, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.

Launched, 3 June 1936

Commissioned USCGC William J. Duane (WPG-33), 1 August 1936, CDR P. F. Roach, USCG in command

During World War II USCGC Duane served as a convoy escort in the American and Europe-Africa-Middle East Theaters (WPG-33) and as an Amphibious Command Ship, designated (WAGC-33) in the Europe-Africa-Middle East and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters

Decommissioned, 1 August 1985

Final Disposition, Sunk as an artificial reef off Key Largo, Florida, 27 November 1987

Specifications:
Displacement 2,350 t. (lt)
Length 327' 0"
Beam 41' 0"
Draft 12' 6" (max.)
Speed 20.5 kts (max)

Complement
1937
12 officers
4 warrant officers
107 enlisted
1941
16 officers
4 warrant officers
202 enlisted
1966
10 officers
3 warrant officers
134 enlisted

Armament
1936
two single 5"/51 cal gun mounts
two 6-pdrs
one 1-pdr
1941
three single 5"/51 cal gun mounts
three single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mounts
four .50 caliber Browning Machine Guns
two depth charge racks
one"Y" gun depth charge projector
1943
two single 5"/51 cal gun mounts
four single 3"/50 cal dual gun mounts
two single 20mm/80 AA gun mounts
one Hedgehog
six "K" gun depth charge projectors
two depth charge racks
1945
two single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts
three twin 40mm/60 AA gun mounts
four single 20mm/80 AA gun mounts
1946
one single 5"/38 cal dual gun mount
one twin 40mm;/60 AA gun mount
eight single 20mm/80 AA gun mounts
one Hedgehog
1966
one single 5"/38 MK30 Mod75 cal dual purpose gun mount w/ MK 52 MOD 3 director
one MK 10-1 Hedgehog
two (P&S) x Mk 32 MOD 5 TT
four MK 44 MOD 1 torpedoes
two .50 cal. MK-2 Browning Machine Guns
two MK-13 high altitude parachute flare mortars

Aircraft

1936, Grumman JF-2, V148

1938, Curtiss SOC-4

Fuel Capacity NSFO 135,180 gallons (547 tons)

Propulsion

two Westinghouse double-reduction geared turbines

two Babcock & Wilcox sectional express, air-encased, 400 psi, 200° superheat

two 9' three-bladed propellers, 6,200shp (1966)

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
USCGC Duane (WPG-33)
10010624	36k	Miss Mai Duane, descendant of William J. Duane, Secretary of the Treasury in President Jackson's cabinet took no chances of fizzling the christening of the new U.S. Coast Guard Cutter at Philadelphia Navy Yard. She gritted her teeth, grasped the baptismal bottle of champagne firmly and used both hands to to smash the flagon against Duane's bow. Then look what happened. The Bismarck Tribune, Bismark North Dakota, Thursday, June 18, 1936, P.7	Michael Mohl
	87k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** in Godthaab Fjord, Greenland in the Spring of 1941. Her mission was to survey the east coast of Greenland in order to identify sites for airfields. Note the SOC-4 seaplane amidships. Photo courtesy of A. D. Baker III from "U.S. Coast Guard Cutters and Craft of World War II" by Robert L. Scheina.	Robert Hurst
	220k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** underway, date and location unknown. US Coast Guard photo	Jim Kurrasch Battleship Iowa Pacific Battleship Center
	63k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** under way, 21 March 1943, location unknown. US Coast Guard photo.	Robert Hurst
	56k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** under way, 21 March 1943, location unknown. Photo gives a good stern view of a 327 class cutter at the height of the Battle of the Atlantic. US Coast Guard photo.	Robert Hurst
	107k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33) under way, date unknown, in heavy seas, typical for the winter months in the North Atlantic. The 327 class cutters proved to be excellent sea keepers. Photo was taken from the deck of a sister ship, the USCGC Spencer (WPG-36)** while both were on anti-submarine patrol and convoy duty during the war. US Coast Guard photo # 3487.	Robert Hurst
	86k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** under way in heavy seas, date unknown. US Coast Guard photo	Robert Hurst
USCGC Duane (AGC-6 - WAGC-33)
	63k	*USCGC Duane* (WAGC-33)** moored pierside after conversion to an Amphibious Force Flagship. US Navy photo
	67k	Starboard bow view of *USCGC Duane* (AGC-6)** at Norfolk Navy Yard, 6 March 1944. US Coast Guard photo # 7105 (44); BS # 62563	Robert Hurst
	67k	Starboard broadside view of *USCGC Duane* (AGC-6)** at Norfolk Navy Yard, 6 March 1944. US National Archives (RG-19-LCM, file W33), photo # 19-N-62563 a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives	Mike Green
	86k	Starboard quarter view of *USCGC Duane* (AGC-6)** at Norfolk Navy Yard, 6 March 1944. US National Archives (RG-19-LCM, file W33), photo # 19-N-62564 a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives	Mike Green
	147k	*USCGC Duane* (AGC-6) during World War II, at the time she was temporarily classified as AGC-6** US National Archives Photo # 26-G-2372 a US Coast Guard photograph now in the collections of th US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	147k	*USCGC Duane* (AGC-6)** while at anchor in Naples harbor, Italy, 24 July 1944. she is shown dressed with flags for a visit by King George VI. An SC-3 radar antenna is atop the mainmast, and an SGa atop the foremast. US Navy photo and text from "U.S. Coast Guard Cutters and Craft of World War II" by Robert L. Scheina.	Robert Hurst
10010625	140k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** at anchor off Naples Italy, circa 1944. Photo by Craig N. Neidlinger - 3rd Infantry Division Museum Exhibit	Philip Neidlinger
USCGC Duane (WPG-33)
	241k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** under way , circa 1953, location unknown. Official US Coast Guard photo.	Robert Hurst
	27k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** during the mid-1950's. Note Boston's Deer island is in the background. Official US Coast Guard. photo.	Robert Hurst
	61k	*USCGC Duane* (WPG-33)** under way in the early-1960s, location unknown. Official US Coast Guard photo.	Robert Hurst
USCGC Duane (WHEC-33)
	54k	A boarding party from *USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33) inspecting one of the hundreds of vessels that plied the waters off South Vietnam. Such boardings were one of the primary missions of Coast Guard Squadron Three and were instrumental in halting the movement of Communist supplies and reinforcements by sea. Photograph was scanned from the cruise book USCGC Duane In Vietnam 1967-1968 (U.S. Coast Guard, 1968), p. 25. from Duane Historic Photo Gallery - US Coast Guard Historian's web site.**	Robert Hurst
	326k	*USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33)** under way in the South China Sea, in 1967. USCG photo, from the 1968-69 Edition of "Jane's Fighting Ships"	Robert Hurst
	33k	An undated image of *USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33) undertaking another of the primary missions assigned to the cutters of Coast Guard Squadron Three, that of Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS). Her main battery fired in support of forces ashore in Vietnam 17 different times, firing a total of 1,778 rounds of ammunition. A black & white copy of this photo appears in the yearbook 33: Coast Guard Cutter Duane: Queen of the Seas: 1 August 1936 - 1 August 1985. Portland, Maine: United States Coast Guard Cutter Duane, 1985--the official cutter history published for her decommissioning. Photo from Duane Historic Photo Gallery - US Coast Guard Historian's web site.**	Robert Hurst
	67k	*USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33) with USCGC Point Lomas (82321)** (Commanded by LTjg. John S. Howse) comes alongside to drop off engine parts and to pick up mail to ferry into Da Nang, 29 March 1968. Although smaller cutters are painted Navy gray and belong to another squadron, they are still Coast Guard, and their brief visits are always welcome by the high endurance cutters. US Coast Guard. photo # 052968-05.	Robert Hurst
	95k	*USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33) during a under way replenishment with the fleet oiler USS Guadalupe (AO-32)** near Da Nang. Photo taken from the yearbook 33: Coast Guard Cutter Duane: Queen of the Seas: 1 August 1936 - 1 August 1985 (Portland, Maine: United States Coast Guard Cutter Duane, 1985), p. 13. This was the official cutter history published for her decommissioning. Official US Coast Guard. photo.	Robert Hurst
10010627	36k	*USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33) approaching the U.S. Navy fleet oiler USS Chemung (AO-30)*, not visible, off Vietnam, 1968. U.S. Navy photo from the *USS Chemung* (AO-30)** 1967-68 cruise book.*	Robert Hurst
	65k	*USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33) steaming home after completing her tour of duty in Vietnam, August 1968. Note the "homeward bound" pennant fluttering from her foremast, suspended in the air by helium-filled balloons. Duane** permanently departed Vietnamese waters on 28 July 1968. Official US Coast Guard photo.	Robert Hurst
	34k	*USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33) meeting with Soviet factory ship Robert Ehyke, 19 May 1971, 51 miles S.E. of Nantucket, MA. The photo shows Duane providing support for an at-sea conference between an American ambassador, representatives of the local fishing industries and the commander of a Soviet Georges Banks' fishing fleet. The conference was set up to settle disputes between U.S. and Soviet fishermen. Photo from Duane Historic Photo Gallery - US Coast Guard Historian's web site.**	Robert Hurst
10010626	188k	*USCGC Duane* (WHEC-33)** returning to Portland, Maine, State Pier after completion of Ocean Station Bravo (8 December 1972 to 2 January 1973). Photo courtesy of Windwork50 9 (real name unknown)	Robert Hurst

Commanding Officers
01	CDR. Roach, Philip Francis, USCG (USCGA 1907):COMO	1 August 1936 - October 1938
02	CDR. Cornell, John H., USCG :COMO	October 1938 - September 1939
03	LCDR. Guisness, Carl Earl, USCG	September 1939 - December 1939
04	CDR. Martinson, Albert Mathias, USCG	December 1939 - 1940
06	CDR. Martinson, Albert Mathias, USCG	December 1941 - January 1943
07	CAPT. Bradbury, Harold Gardner, USCG (USCGA 1920) :RADM	January 1943 - July 1943
08	CDR. Jewell, Robert Coddington, USCG	July 1943 - January 1944
09	CAPT. Moore, Harold Conklin, USCG (USCGA 1926) :RADM	January 1944 - May 1945
10	CDR. Dirks, John Armstrong, USCG	May 1945 - December 1945
11	CDR. Bernier, George Napoleon, USCG	no dates
12	CAPT. Colmar, Peter Vincent, USCG (USCGA 1929) ;RADM	November 1950 - January 1952
14	CDR. Hay, Sidney Miller, USCG	January 1952 - 1952
15	CAPT. Foutter, Richard Charles, USCG	1952 - 1954
16	CAPT. Tydlacka, Victor Frank, USCG	1954 - 1956
17	CAPT. Mavor, Preston Baker, USCG (USCGA 1931)	1956 - 1957
18	CAPT. Rollins, Glenn Leslie, USCG (USCGA 1935)	1957 - 1959
19	LCDR. Hoover, Richard Eugene, USCG (USCGA 1944)	1959 - 1960
20	CAPT. Trimble, Paul Edwin, USCG (USCGA 1936) :VADM	1960 - July 1961
21	CAPT. Kniskern Jr., Henry Parsons, USCG (USCGA 1938)	July 1961 - June 1963
22	CAPT. Pearson, Helmer Sheppard, USCG (USCGA 1941) :RADM	June 1963 - June 1965
23	CAPT. Barrow, Winford Welborn, USCG (USCGA 1946) :RADM	June 1965 - August 1965
24	CAPT. Frost, Albert, USCG (USCGA 1942)	August 1965 - 1967
25	CAPT. Hume, John W.,	1967 - 1969
26	CAPT. Erdmann, Roger F., USCG	1969 - 1971
27	CDR. Wirtz, John C., USCG, (USCGA 1954)	1971 - 1971
28	CDR. Bacon, Robert Bruce, USCG (USCGA 1954)	1971 - 1973
29	CDR. Wise, Richard Byrd, USCG (USCGA 1954)	1973 - 1975
30	CDR. Hartgen, Roger P., USCG (USCGA 1956)	1975 - 1977
32	CDR. Schowengerdt Jr., Leo Nicholas, USCG (USCGA 1960)	1977 - 1979
33	CAPT. Mincks, Charles Stanley, USCG (USCGA 1959)	1979 - 1981
34	CDR. Dorrian, Leonard V., USCG (USCGA 1961)	1981 - 1983
35	CDR. Miller Jr., Warren E., USCG (USCGA 1965)	1983 - 1983
36	CDR. Murphy Jr., Laurence J. USCG (USCGA 1965)	1983 - 1 August 1985


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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Last Updated 7 July 2023