“Sand Pounders” was the nickname for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Beach Patrol during World War II, a unit that watched over the nation’s coastline to guard against sabotage and enemy landings. The patrols, consisting of about 24,000 personnel, often rode on horseback, though some also used dogs, and their duties included reporting suspicious activity and reassuring the public.
Duties and operations
Patrol: The patrols covered over 3,700 miles of coastline, with horse-mounted units often working in pairs.
Equipment: They were armed with revolvers and submachine guns and used horses for their speed, while also utilizing dogs with special paw protection.
Authority: Initially, they only had the authority to report suspicious activity, but by late summer of 1943, they were given full law-enforcement authority in some areas, such as Oregon and Washington.
Decline of the patrols
As the war progressed, the likelihood of seaborne attacks decreased.
The patrols were gradually curtailed starting in 1944.
The beach patrols were officially discontinued on the West Coast in July 1944, except for emergencies.

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