Searching for gravitational waves from compact binary coalescence

The coalescence of compact binary objects is a brilliant source of gravitational radiation. Close binary systems comprised of neutron stars and or stellar mass black holes will emit gravitational waves at frequencies detectable by ground based, gravitational wave observatories. Gravitational wave searches targeting coalescing compact objects have been in- the-works for over a decade and should result in the first direct observation of coalescence within the coming decade. In this talk I will provide some of the history of these searches as well as summarize the most recent results and prospects for the future.