High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Russell Randolph Waesche, Sr. Waesche served as the eighth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, overseeing the service during World War II. He also holds the distinction of being the longest serving Commandant, serving ten years in command of the United States Coast Guard. In addition, he was the first to hold the ranks of Vice Admiral and full Admiral within the Coast Guard.