US Coast Guard Cutter Courier Cold War radio broadcasting ship beamed Voice of America (VOA) programming to Iron Curtain countries from the island of Rhodes, Greece 1952-64.

The Courier's mission was to broadcast the voice of democracy throughout the world. This page is dedicated to Courier servicemen, Courier family members, and residents of the island of Rhodes, Greece.

 

For 12 years, from 17 July 1952 to 13 August 1964, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Courier was docked at the island of Rhodes, Greece where it broadcast Voice of America programming to countries located behind the Iron Curtain.

 

Determined to win the Cold War, President Harry S. Truman countered Soviet propaganda against freedom by broadcasting Voice of America programming.  

Because an armed Navy vessel would pose a threat, it was decided to outfit a Coast Guard vessel with the equipment needed to bust through the Iron Curtain.  

 

In its day, the Courier was the most powerful floating AM frequency broadcaster in the world.

 

Servicemen and their families were sent to Rhodes to live, work, and serve as ambassadors of the American way of life on a Greek island, less than 12 miles from the coast of Turkey, that had seldom seen American visitors or residents.

 

For more information about the ship, the crew, and the island of Rhodes, Greece, please visit the USCGC Courier Facebook or Youtube pages by clicking the appropriate icon below.