Auxiliarist Inge V. Swenson receives his 50 Year Award from RCO(E) James T. Emery. Looking on (applauding) is CWO Kary Moss, Commanding Officer, USCG Station Barnegat Light.

Inge V. Swenson honored for his half-century in the Auxiliary.

Inge V. Swenson of Flotilla 7-12, Barnegat Light, NJ received a Commendation Award for 50 years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The award was presented by Rear Commodore (East) James T. Emery at the November 2nd monthly business meeting of Division 7, Southern Ocean County New Jersey.

Auxiliary documents show Inge, who is 94, joining the Auxiliary in June 1943. "I have recollections of joining sometime earlier," said Swenson.

Auxiliarist Swenson originally joined Flotilla 24 located in Brooklyn, NY in what was then the 3rd Coast Guard District. Inge spent his early years in the Auxiliary, during World War II, serving as watch with the Coast Guard at Fort Alexander Hamilton in Brooklyn. Later, he aided in augmenting forces at U.S. Coast Guard Group Sandy Hook, for which he received numerous Certificates of Appreciation.

50 Year Award presented to Inge.

Despite a gap in documentation, records indicate that after relocating to Forked River, NJ, Inge transferred to Flotilla 7-12, D5NR, about 1987.

During his membership Inge participated in a broad range of boating safety missions as vessel examiner, program visitor, instructor, crew and coxswain.

Auxiliarist Swenson regularly attends membership training seminars and workshops and is able to lend his vast experiences to the instruction. "You are never too old to learn something new," said Inge.