U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard Ensign (flag) was first flown by the Revenue Cutter Service in 1799 to distinguish revenue cutters from merchant ships. The order stated the Ensign would be "16 perpendicular stripes, alternate red and white, the union of the ensign to be the arms of the United States in a dark blue on a white field." (There were 16 states in the United States at the time).

On a white disk the shield of the Coat of Arms of the United States (Paly of thirteen pieces Argent and Gules a chief Azure) between the motto "SEMPER PARATUS" in red, circumscribed by a white annulet edged and inscribed “UNITED STATES COAST GUARD 1790” in blue all in front of two crossed anchors with stock, arms, and fluke in slight perspective in gold; superimposed upon a light blue disk with gold rope rim. The central device of the seal is the emblem of the United States Coast Guard.

SYMBOLISM: The central device of the seal is based on the emblem of the United States Coast Guard which was approved by the Secretary of the Treasury on February 26, 1927.

The design of the seal was approved by the President of the United States by Executive Order 10707 dated May 6, 1957 (The Institute of Heraldry drawing 6-2-9). Request for use of the Coast Guard emblem should be submitted in writing to Commandant (G-CP-3), HQ U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2d Street SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001. Telephonic inquiries may be referred to (202) 267-0933 or 0938.

The flag of the United States Coast Guard is white with a dark blue Great Seal of the United States. The shield on the eagle's breast has a blue chief over vertical red and white stripes. Inscribed in an arc above the eagle is "UNITED STATES COAST GUARD"; below the eagle is the Coast Guard motto, "SEMPER PARATUS" ("Always Ready") and beneath that the numerals 1790 the year in which the service's ancestor, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, was founded. All inscriptions are dark blue.