Shepard, Leonard Griffin, 1846-1895

Leonard G. Shepard (November 10, 1846 – March 1, 1895), was a captain in the United States Revenue Cutter Service and was appointed in 1889 by Secretary of the Treasury William Windom as the first military head of the service since 1869. His formal title was that of Chief of the Revenue Marine Division of the Department of the Treasury. Although he was never formally known as Commandant, he is recognized today as the first Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Leonard G. Shepard was the first officer in permanent charge of the Revenue Marine. He was born in Massachusetts on 10 March 1846 and appointed as a Third Lieutenant in the Revenue Marine Service on 6 June 1866. He was appointed as Chief, Revenue Marine Service on 28 December 1889 and Chief of the Revenue Cutter Service on 31July 1894.