United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the coast guard of the United States. One of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and the smallest armed service of the United States, it has a broad and important role in homeland security, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental pollution response and the maintenance of intercoastal and offshore aids to navigation (ATON). It also lays claim of being the United States' oldest continuous seagoing service.

Symbols of the Coast Guard

Core Values of the Coast Guard

The Coast Guard, like the other armed services of the United States, has a set of core values which serve as basic ethical guidelines to Coast Guard members. As listed in the recruit pamphlet, The Helmsman, they are:

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Honor: Absolute integrity is our standard. A Coast Guardsman demonstrates honor in all things: never lying, cheating, or stealing. We do the right thing because it is the right thing--all the time.

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Respect: We value the dignity and worth of people: whether a stranded boater, an immigrant, or a fellow Coast Guardsman; we honor, protect, and assist.

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Devotion to Duty: A Coast Guardsman is dedicated to the accomplishment of our missions: Lifesaving, Law Enforcement, Environmental Protection, National Defense. We are loyal and accountable to the public trust. We welcome responsibility.

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Coast Guard Ensign

The Coast Guard Ensign (flag) was first flown by the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790 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). This flag is flown only as a symbol of law enforcement authority and is never carried as a parade standard.

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Coast Guard Standard

The Coast Guard Standard is used in parades and carries the battle honors of the U.S. Coast Guard. It was derived from the jack of the Coast Guard ensign which used to fly from the stern of revenue cutters. The emblem is a blue eagle from the coat of arms of the United States on a white field. Above the eagle are the words "UNITED STATES COAST GUARD;" below the eagle is the inscription "1790."

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"The Stripe"

The "Stripe" was designed in 1964 to give the Coast Guard a distinctive, modern image and first used in 1967. The symbol is a narrow blue bar, a narrow white stripe between, and a broad red bar with the Coast Guard shield centered. The "Stripe" has been adopted for the use of other coast guards, such as the Canadian Coast Guard, the Italian Guardia Costiera, and the Australian Customs Service. Auxiliary vessels maintained by the Coast Guard also carry the "Stripe" in inverted colors.

Related Topics:
1964 - 1967 - Canadian Coast Guard - Guardia Costiera - Australian Customs Service

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Semper Paratus

The official march of the Coast Guard is "Semper Paratus" (Latin for "Always Ready"). The origin of the phrase is obscure; however, the Coast Guard Historian's Office notes the first use was by the New Orleans Bee newspaper in the 1830s, referring to the actions of the Revenue Cutter Service.

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The original music and lyrics (and the version here) were written by Captain Francis Saltus Van Boskerck in 1927. The current verse, as well as a second chorus, were written by Homer Smith, 3rd Naval District Coast Guard quartet, Chief Cole, Walton Butterfield in 1943. In 1969 the first line of each verse was changed.

Related Topics:
Francis Saltus Van Boskerck - 1927 - Homer Smith - Walton Butterfield - 1943 - 1969

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Verse 1

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: From Aztec Shore to Artic Zone,

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: To Europe and Far East,

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: The Flag is carried by our ships

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: In times of war and peace;

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: And never have we struck it yet,

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: In spite of foemen's might,

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: Who cheered our crews and cheered again

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: For showing how to fight.

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Chorus

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: We're always ready for the call,

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: We place our trust in Thee.

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: Through surf and storm and howling gale,

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: High shall our purpose be,

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: "Semper Paratus" is our guide,

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: Our fame, our glory, too.

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: To fight to save or fight and die!

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: Aye! Coast Guard, we are for you.

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Verse 2

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: "Surveyor" and "Narcissus,"

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: The "Eagle" and "Dispatch,"

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: The "Hudson" and the "Tampa,"

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: These names are hard to match;

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: From Barrow's shores to Paraguay,

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: Great Lakes' or Ocean's wave,

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: The Coast Guard fights through storms and winds

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: To punish or to save.

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Verse 3

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: Aye! we've been "Always Ready"

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: To do, to fight, or die!

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: Write glory to the shield we wear

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: In letters to the sky.

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: To sink the foe or save the maimed

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: Our mission and our pride.

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: We'll carry on 'til Kingdom Come

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: Ideals for which we've died.

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