United States Coast Guard Emblem
6 1/2" Round

The United States Coast Guard first began maritime duties in August 1790 when Congress passed Alexander Hamilton's "Revenue Act." Known originally as the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard gradually assumed the responsibilities of four other agencies: the Lighthouse Service, the Steamboat Inspection Service, the Bureau of Navigation, and the Lifesaving Service.

An official emblem for the organization was established in August 1799, when Secretary of the Treasury, Oliver Wolcott announced that the distinguishing ensign would consist of "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." The 16 stripes symbolized the number of States in the union when the emblem was adopted.

Today’s Coast Guard is a “military, multimission, maritime service” protecting the American public, environment and economic interests. The modern emblem bears the color red to signify the sacrifice of blood, blue for justice and white to symbolize the unending quest for purity and integrity.

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