Clarence Samuels Lieutenant Junior Grade Clarence Samuels ( June 11 , 1900 – 1983 ) , was the first Hispanic American of African descent photographer in the United States Coast Guard , to command a cutter , as well as the first one to be a commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel during wartime . Early years . Samuels was born and raised in the village of Bohio , Panama . By 1920 , he had immigrated to the United States and joined the United States Coast Guard as an alien ( citizen of a foreign country ) . Samuels first assignment as a Seaman 2nd Class was aboard the USCGC Earp ( ex - Eagle 22 ) at Balboa Canal Zone , Panama . The term " Hispanic " , which according to the United States Census Bureau is an ethnic term used to categorize any citizen or resident of the United States , of any racial background , and of any religion , who has at least one ancestor from the people of Spain or any of the Spanish - speaking countries of the Americas , was not used until the 1970s , therefore Latinos were classified by race either as " Whites " or as " Blacks " . Samuels was classified as Black by the US Coast Guard and like so many Blacks before and after him , he was soon initiated into mess - man duty . Military career . Segregation was the common practice in all the services , as indeed it was throughout much of American society . From 1920 to 1928 , the Coast Guard was engaged in the apprehension of the rum runners seeking to circumvent the Prohibition laws . Samuels served aboard various vessels , among them the USCGC Earp ( twice ) , USCGC Swift , USCGC Shawnee , USCGC Mojave and USCGC Argus during those years . He became a naturalized citizen of the United States on July 21 , 1923 . On July 18 , 1928 , he assumed command of the Coast Guard Patrol Boat AB - 15 , operating out of Savannah , Georgia . On September 8 , 1930 , Samuels was assigned to the Pea Island Coast Guard Station , lifeboat station manned totally by African - Americans , on the Outer Banks of North Carolina . On June 16 , 1933 , was promoted to Boatswain ' s Mate , 1st Class ( Lifesaving ) . He reported to the Coast Guard Depot at Curtis bay , Maryland , on July 14 , 1935 , and served as the personal driver of Rear Admiral Russell R . Waesche , the Coast Guard Commandant . On May 8 , 1936 , he was promoted to boatswain ' s mate , first class . On May 12 , 1939 , Samuels was appointed a Chief Photographer ' s Mate , becoming not only the first Hispanic of African descent photographer in the Guard , but also only the second photographer in the entire history of the Service . World War II . A statute of 1915 , provided that during wartime or " whenever the President may so direct " the Coast Guard would operate as part of the Navy , subject to the orders of the Secretary of the Navy . At the direction of the President ' the Coast Guard passed to the control of the Secretary of the Navy on November 1 , 1941 and so remained until January 1 , 1946 . On September 1 , 1942 , Samuels received the following notification from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox : " Pursuant to the provision of an Act of Congress approved July 24 , 1941 , ( Public Law No . 188 - 77th Congress ) , the President of the United States on this date appoints you a Boatswain in the Coast Guard for temporary service to rank from the First of September 1942 " , thus Samuels was able to work himself up through the ranks to become a warrant officer . He was then reassigned to the Coast Guard Training Station at Manhattan Beach , Brooklyn , New York and served as the Director of Visual Signaling for Recruits . His position was one of great responsibility because it was part of a major innovation in the Coast Guard ' s manpower policy . For the first time a number of African Americans , approximately 1 . 6 percent of the guard ' s total enlisted complement , would undergo regular recruit and specialized training . On August 14 , 1943 , Samuels was sent to the North Atlantic where he served aboard the U . S . S . SEA CLOUD ( IX - 99 ) , a vessel which operated as a Weather Station . Samuels , who became the Damage Control Officer on the SEA CLOUD , was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade on August 31 . On July 29 , 1944 , he assumed command of Lightship No . 115 " Frying Pan " , operating in the Panama Sea Frontier . Thus , he became the first admitted Hispanic of African descent to command a cutter , as well as the first one to be a commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel during wartime . A lightship , is a ship which acts as a lighthouse . They are used in waters that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable for lighthouse construction . On May 18 , 1945 , he assumed command of Lightship No . 91 until August 2 , 1945 , when he was assigned as commanding officer of USCGC Sweetgum . Later years . On June 25 , 1946 , his lieutenancy was revoked and he was dis - rated to Chief Photographer ' s mate . This type of action was not uncommon in the military after the war since it was a part of the massive demobilization of the Coast Guard following the end of hostilities . He was , however appointed temporarily to Chief Boatswain ' s Mate . He served aboard the buoy tender TULIP at Manila , Luzon Island , Philippines Islands in his last year in the military retiring on September 1 , 1947 , after 27 years of active service . Samuels resided in the Philippines for some time until he decided to return to the United States and make his home in California . Lieutenant ( JG . ) Samuels died 1983 at his home in Sonoma , California . Military awards and decorations . Among Samuels ' s military decorations are the following :