Timothy Dring is a retired commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He is the co-author of American Coastal Rescue Craft," which won the best history book award from the Foundation for Coast Guard History in 2010. Commander Dring is on the board of the U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association and the Twin Lights Historical Society. He is a regular contributor to the Heritage Association's quarterly journal. In 2010, he was given the U.S. Coast Guard's Meritorious Public Service Award.