Russell R. Waesche

Russell Randolph Waesche Sr. (6 January 1886 – 17 October 1946) served as the eighth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, overseeing the service during World War II. He was the U.S. Coast Guard's longest serving commandant, having served ten years in that post. In addition, he was the first officer to hold the ranks of vice admiral and admiral within the Coast Guard.

Early life and education Waesche was born and raised in Thurmont, Maryland. He was fifth of the eight children of Leonard Randolph Waesche and Mary Martha Foreman. Waesche's grandfather George Henry Waesche was a German immigrant who had become a prominent figure in Carroll County, Maryland. Following graduation from high school, Waesche attended Purdue University for a year before transferring to the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction and accepting an appointment as a cadet in 1904. He graduated from the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction in 1906.

In February 1932, he became liaison officer in the War Plans Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. After completion of this duty he served as aide to Commandant Harry G. Hamlet, then he was Chief of the Finance Division, and Assistant Commandant. He was appointed Commandant as rear admiral on 14 June 1936, and was largely responsible for the merger of the U.S. Lighthouse Service with the Coast Guard in 1939. He was also instrumental in organizing the Coast Guard Auxiliary and a strong Coast Guard Reserve which underwent its greatest expansion in history. During World War II, Waesche served as commandant of the Coast Guard and received honors for his service. was a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral who served as the commanding officer of USCGC Northwind from 1960 to 1962, with the rank of captain. Another son, Harry Lee Waesche (1915–2000), was a U.S. Air Force colonel who served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Awards and decorations Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Commendation Ribbon World War I Victory Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal

Dates of rank

Legacy Waesche Hall at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is named in honor of Admiral Waesche (who graduated from the Academy when it was known as the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction). The building houses the Academy library and admissions department and is the current location of the Coast Guard Museum. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter, , is named in his honor.