Francis Saltus Van Boskerck

Francis Saltus Van Boskerck (October 1868 – November 26, 1927) was a United States Coast Guard captain known for writing and composing "Semper Paratus", the Coast Guard's official march. He held various senior positions within the Coast Guard.

Van Boskerck served in the Coast Guard as commander of the Coast Guard cutters USCGC Bear, USCGC Yamacraw and as commander of the Norfolk Division, district commander of the Great Lakes District, captain of the Port of Philadelphia, and commander of the Bering Sea Patrol. He wrote "Semper Paratus" s words in 1922 aboard Yamacraw and its music in 1927 on a beat-up piano in the Aleutian Islands. He gave the song to Lieutenant Colonel Harvey Miller to publish the day before Van Boskerck died.

Early life and education Van Boskerck was born in October 1868 and was a native of New York state. He was appointed to join the Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction on May 17, 1889, as a cadet. Until 1890, the School of Instruction was held on ships,

After many years in the Coast Guard, Van Boskerck attended the Naval War College in 1923 and 1924. Previously, he served as a first lieutenant. He wrote of the experience:

One day... the inspiration came to me to write a song of the Coast Guard. It was one of those so-called "flashes" that come to people, at times, apparently from nowhere.... And so I went... and wrote the words to the song which I named "Semper Paratus"

Death After he delivered the words and music of "Semper Paratus" to Miller, Van Boskerck had intended to head to New York City for the Army–Navy football game that was to be held there. For an unknown reason, he instead decided to take a steamboat back to Norfolk. As he was leaving his room to disembark the vessel, he died abruptly of a heart attack. He had no known ailments at the time of his death. Van Boskerck died in the early hours of the morning on November 26, 1927. His death was reported by the Associated Press in The Evening Star that day.