Our History

United States Power Squadrons®, formed in 1914, is the largest fraternal boating organization in the United States. We have over 300 squadrons totaling more than 25,000 members across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. We are a non-political, non-governmental organization, though we do work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxillary, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOS and the Department of Natural Resources of most States.

District 10 is a unit of the United States Power Squadrons®.
The genesis of District 10 (1940) began with District 9 which was composed of:

  • Duluth (chartered 27 June 1939),
  • Milwaukee (chartered 6 April 1939),
  • Green Bay (chartered 28 Feb 1940) and
  • Winnebago (late 1940 and subsequently recalled).

According to J. Richard Palmer, FC (50+ Merit Marks), it was Walter Morrison, a power boater who knew of the Milwaukee squadron and with George Burridge , Heine Hoegemeister , and others were charter members of Green Bay Squadron. Palmer joined a year after the charter, and was engaged in patrolling the East River during WWII. Dick went on to become D/C and taught me most of my Power Squadron courses.

District 10 was formed on 11 November 1940, incorporating Milwaukee, Duluth, and Green Bay squadrons. Duluth was instrumental in forming Minnetonka (14 Jan 1961) and St. Paul (11 Nov 1963). Milwaukee sponsored Sheboygan (21 May 1956) and Madison (16 Jan 1960). Green Bay sponsored Appleton or Fox Cities (7 December 1953), Sturgeon Bay (7 July 1954), Fond Du Lac (7 December 1955), M&M (9 April 1956), Oshkosh (24 April 1956) and Central Wisconsin (May 1990). Chippewa Valley has been added a few years ago. Fond Du Lac and Fox Cities' charters have been recalled.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee was busy sponsoring squadrons in Illinois, Kenosha, and the Quad Cities. These squadrons formed District 20 on 17 March 1956.

P/D/C Alan Wentworth, N

Our members enjoy:

Advanced Boating Courses:

  • Boat Operator Certification
  • Boat Handling
  • Inland Navigation
  • Coastal Navigation
  • Off-shore Navigation
  • Ocean Navigation
  • Weather
  • Sail
  • Cruise Planning
  • Engine Maintenance
  • Marine Electronics

Social Activities:

  • Cruises
  • Rendezvous
  • Family Outings
  • Contests

Civic Service Activities:

  • Educating Boaters for Safety
  • Teaching Fellow Boaters
  • Volunteer Safety Inspections

Membership to USPS means:

  • Greater Boating Education
  • Family Activities
  • Community Involvement
  • Membership Benefits:
  • Special Marine Insurance
  • Affinity Credit Card Program
  • Port Captain Program
  • See all USPS benefits