Harry Gabriel Hamlet (27 August 1874 – 24 January 1954) was the seventh Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, from 1932 to 1936. After completion of training, Hamlet was commissioned as a third lieutenant on 27 April 1896 and was assigned to USRC Bear and served aboard her during the Overland Relief Expedition which involved the rescue of whalers trapped in Arctic ice near Point Barrow, Alaska. On 25 November 1913 he assumed his first command as a captain as the commanding officer of USRC Unalga, home-ported at Seattle, Washington.
World War I and postwar assignments
On 18 September 1917 Hamlet was assigned to the Third Naval District at Bensonhurst, New York. He immediately assumed command of USCGC before she sailed on 20 September to join the U.S. Naval forces at Brest, France Upon arrival in Europe he was assigned command of the . While in command of Marietta in the Bay of Biscay on 28 April 1919, Captain Hamlet rescued a crew of 47 persons from the which was sinking at sea. This rescue was made extremely difficult and hazardous owing to high seas, which threatened to send the two vessels crashing together. In effecting the rescue, Hamlet displayed admirable seamanship and on 5 January 1920 he was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal.
Retirement
Hamlet retired from the U.S. Coast Guard on 1 September 1938, just after his 64th birthday. By virtue of his service as commandant, his retired rank would have been rear admiral; he was, however, promoted to vice admiral in recognition of his four decades of service. After his death at the age of 79, he was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Awards
- Gold Lifesaving Medal