Veteran's Day is a time to honor the men and women who have served in the uniformed services. While many veterans work at NOAA, here is something you may not know about our agency's legacy.

Since the time of the Civil War, NOAA's predecessor agencies have provided their expertise to support U.S. war efforts. Notably, more than 1,100 members of the Coast and Geodetic Survey served not only on the home front but in every major theater of the war during World War II. In Europe, they deployed to Italy, Tunisia, France, and during the final march through Germany. In the Pacific, they served from Guadalcanal through New Guinea – in the Philippines, on Guam, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, and when Japan surrendered in Tokyo Bay.

Coast and Geodetic Survey staff served as artillery surveyors to put "iron on target" (ensuring artillery shells land where they should), and produced nearly 100 million maps and charts for Allied operations, many of uncharted Pacific reefs and islands. To help bring the world into a new era following the war, they designed a worldwide aeronautical charting system that was adopted by the International Civil Aeronautical Organization for peacetime operations.

This Veteran's Day, let's remember those who have served and take the time to thank those veterans who are our friends, neighbors, and colleagues today.

W. Russell Callender, Ph.D. 
Acting Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal
Zone Management, National Ocean Service