By Paul Lanning

In contrast to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advisers to the President who are not in the military's operational chain of command, the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard commands his service. Commandants are appointed to four-year terms by the President of the United States, and usually are the only four-star Admiral in the Coast Guard.

	Owen Wesley Siler, United States Coast Guard Image courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

Admiral Owen Wesley Siler’s nearly 40-year career in the Coast Guard was capped by his four years as Commandant, and that alone makes his story noteworthy. However, this World War II veteran left a legacy that stretches far beyond the bounds of any job description. From participating in the Battle of Bougainville during World War II, to the occupation of Japan following the war, to flying harrowing search and rescue missions out of Juneau, Alaska (like those dramatized in the 2006 feature film, "The Guardian,” starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher), to directing Coast Guard assistance during the Cuban refugee crisis of 1965-66 and averting a catastrophe in Louisville in the early 1970s, Siler had an accomplished and memorable career before his ascent to Commandant.

An even greater achievement awaited Siler as Commandant. Taking on the role of Commandant in 1974, Siler literally made history in his efforts to ensure equal rights for women and minorities serving in the military. He instituted the Coast Guard's Minority Recruitment Program and was instrumental in having women admitted to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, making it the first military service academy to become a co-ed institution.

Born in Seattle in 1922, Siler moved with his family to California’s central coast during his formative years, and he graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1938. From there he enrolled at the local two-year college, Santa Maria Junior College (now Allan Hancock College), to pursue his education. Siler excelled at the college, graduating with an associate’s degree in two years and transferring directly to the United States Coast Guard Academy just as America was facing threats in Europe and the Far East.

In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, Siler graduated early from the Academy and was immediately thrust into active duty, and he rose quickly through the ranks both during and after the Second World War. Siler held numerous positions both at sea and ashore over the nearly three decades after the War before his appointment as Commandant.

Siler served on the USS Hunter Liggett, a combat transport ship, during the Battle of Bougainville Image courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

In 1962-64, Siler was Chief of the Search and Rescue Branch at the 17th Coast Guard District Office in Juneau, and then was appointed as first Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer for the Coast Guard Air Station in Miami, Florida. Under his command, the station received a Coast Guard Unit Commendation for the Cuban Exodus operations in the Fall of 1965, when the Air Station was involved in 85 assistance missions and, with other Coast Guard units, helped deliver 8,100 refugees to Key West.

During this period, he also continued his education, spending a year at the National War College in 1966-67 and later earning a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University in 1968 while serving as deputy chief of staff in Washington, DC.

After his elevation from Captain to Rear Admiral in 1971, Siler commanded the Second Coast Guard District in St. Louis, where he received the Meritorious Service Medal in 1972 for directing successful efforts to avert a potential major disaster near Louisville, where a barge loaded with deadly chlorine had smashed into a dam. In May 1974 he received the Legion of Merit for his overall performance as Second District Commander.

Following his nomination as Commandant by President Nixon on February 4, 1974, then-Rear Admiral Siler succeeded retiring Admiral Chester R. Bender to the post of Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard with the rank of full four-star Admiral, effective June 1, 1974.

	Admiral Owen Wesley Siler during his time as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Image courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

Siler’s impact on the U.S. Coast Guard and, ultimately, all the Armed Services is still felt today. During a tumultuous time in this nation's history, Siler reported to a succession of three President (Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter) and oversaw multiple advances in the structure, operations, and authority of the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard’s significantly increased activity in drug interdiction began during Siler’s tenure, when increased cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs Service resulted in the seizure of ships carrying more than $530 million in illegal drugs in 1976-77, compared to seizures of just $72 million in illegal drugs in the preceding three years combined. Vast increases in vessel hijacking prevention, expansion and revitalization the Coast Guard’s facilities throughout the nation, vessel and port safety programs, environmental protection measures and prevention of illegal fishery operations all occurred under Siler’s leadership, as did significant increases in minority recruitment as a result of the programs Siler put into place.

Under Siler’s direction the Coast Guard also broke down many of the old barriers to the career fields women could enter, and in so doing provided impetus for the other branches of the Armed Forces to begin to follow suit. The Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut was the first of the military service academies to announce acceptance of women cadets. In January 1976 the first female Coast Guard flight student reported for training and earned her wings in early 1977. A second woman pilot completed her flight training later that year.

Another significant development in the role of women during the Siler era was the decision to assign women officers and enlisted personnel to both seagoing and isolated billets. Four officers and 20 enlisted women served at sea, and many shore stations also had mixed-gender crews.

From his humble beginnings in the sleepy town of Santa Maria in the 1930s, Santa Maria Junior College alumnus Owen Siler ascended to one of this nation’s most distinguished careers of public service, reported directly to three U.S. Presidents, performed numerous humanitarian aid missions, and broke down barriers for women and minorities in the military

In recognition of his tremendous accomplishments after his start at Santa Maria Junior College, Siler was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2002 by the Community College League of California.

Upon Siler’s passing in 2007, Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen said, "The face of the Coast Guard was forever changed as a result of Admiral Siler's commitment and foresight towards minority recruiting and the advancement of women within the Coast Guard's ranks."