Francis Saltus Van Boskerck
U.S. Coast Guardsman and songwriter / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Francis Saltus Van Boskerck?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
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.
Francis Saltus Van Boskerck | |
---|---|
Born | New York state |
Died | Norfolk, Virginia |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | Revenue Cutter Service, later United States Coast Guard |
Years of service | 1891–1927 |
Rank | Captain |
Commands held |
|
Wars | World War I |
Alma mater | Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction, Naval War College |
Other work | Writer and composer of "Semper Paratus" |
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.