ARRIVAL OF CGC ALEX HALEY

Kodiak, AK (Nov. 20)--Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) slides up nexts to its new moorings Saturday morning at Coast Guard Integrated Support Command Kodiak. The cutter is named after Alex Haley, famous author and the first Chief Journalist in the Coast Guard. Haley enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1939 as a mess attendant (steward). During his years of service he developed and honed his writing skills. After his writing talents were discovered in 1952, the Coast Guard created the Journalist rating for him. His primary job was writing stories to promote the Coast Guard to the media.