On 27 May 1988, after the decommissioning of , "Fir" gained the distinction as the U.S. Coast Guard's oldest commissioned cutter. In accordance with a Coast Guard custom, she displayed gold hull numbers on her bow and was designated as "Queen of the Fleet" on 30 May 1988. On 1 October 1990, the 200th anniversary year of the U.S. Coast Guard, "Fir" was honored again with the celebration on her 50th birthday. One year later, on 1 October 1991 "Fir" was decommissioned, and; on 27 April 1992 was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Secretary of the Interior.