Frederick C. Billard
Encyclopedia
Frederick C. Billard served as the sixth Commandant
of the United States Coast Guard
from 1924 until his death. He is the only Coast Guard Commandant to die in office.
He was born in Washington, D.C.
In 1894, he enlisted in the United States Revenue Cutter Service
as a Cadet. During the Spanish-American War
, he served on a Revenue Service Cutter attached to the Pacific Fleet
. During World War I
, he was awarded the Navy Cross
, in recognition of his services as commanding officer of the USS Aphrodite
.
From 1919 to 1921, Billard served as Aide to William E. Reynolds. From 1921 until his appointment as Commandant, he served as Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy
in New London, Connecticut
.
As Commandant during the Prohibition Era
, Billard established the Coast Guard's first intelligence center designed to collect, evaluate, and disseminate information relating to smuggling
practices and plans.
Commandant of the Coast Guard
The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard is the highest ranking member of the United States Coast Guard. The Commandant is normally the only four-star Admiral in the Coast Guard and is appointed for a four-year term by the President of the United States upon confirmation by the United...
of the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
from 1924 until his death. He is the only Coast Guard Commandant to die in office.
He was born in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In 1894, he enlisted in the United States Revenue Cutter Service
United States Revenue Cutter Service
The United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as an armed maritime law enforcement service. Throughout its entire existence the Revenue Cutter Service operated under the authority of the United States Department of the Treasury...
as a Cadet. During the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, he served on a Revenue Service Cutter attached to the Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, in recognition of his services as commanding officer of the USS Aphrodite
USS Aphrodite (SP-135)
USS Aphrodite was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919.Aphrodite was built as a civilian yacht in 1899 by Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine. The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, Colonel O. H. Payne of New York City, on 11 May 1917 for use as...
.
From 1919 to 1921, Billard served as Aide to William E. Reynolds. From 1921 until his appointment as Commandant, he served as Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
in New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
.
As Commandant during the Prohibition Era
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
, Billard established the Coast Guard's first intelligence center designed to collect, evaluate, and disseminate information relating to smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
practices and plans.