Rescue Warriors

David Helvarg was a guest on WAMU’s “Diane Rehm Show” to talk about his book Rescue Warriors: The U.S. Coast Guard, America’s Forgotten Heroes (Thomas Dunne Books; May 12, 2009). In his book David Helvarg discusses the history and activities of the United States Coast Guard, founded in 1797 by Alexander Hamilton. Formerly part of the Department of Transportation, the Coast Guard is currently under the Department of Homeland Security and is a miltitary as well as law enforcement branch of the government. This duel status means the Coast Guard rescues people in trouble at sea, operates in war zones like Iraq and Vietnam, patrols the Artic ocean with ice breakers, and also intercepts drug runners using ships and aircraft. He talked about his activities in researching the book and stories of the Coast Guard such as during Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center attacks. Other topics included the wide and expanding range of duties of the Coast Guard. He responded to telephone calls a close