US Coast Guard Flag Questions

Coast Guard flags, Made in USA

All of our Coast Guard flags are printed on our 200 denier thick nylon flag fabric. This special fabric is sun-protected and water resistant. The flag also features two brass grommets and 4 rows of stitching on the fly end, plus reinforced corners to prevent fraying. And as with all our flags, both materials and labor are 100% made right here in the United States. Add it to your shopping cart today and show your support for our troops!

Product Description

If you are looking for a beautiful, all weather Coast Guard flag that will hold up to the elements, then our 100% Made in America Coast Guard Flag is a great choice! It is treated to stand up to the sun’s harmful UV rays. The flag is made of heavyweight 200 denier nylon making it tough and long lasting, yet still flies beautifully in the breeze. There are two rows of superior lock stitching all around the flag with 4 rows on the fly end to prevent unraveling and fraying.

The Coast Guard flag was adopted on January 29, 1964. It is a white flag with the great Seal of the United States in the center. The colors used in the Coast Guard emblem are all symbolic. The color red stands for our youth and sacrifice of blood for liberty’s sake. The color blue not only stands for justice, but also for our covenant against oppression

The eagle on the flag, representing the United States, holds a ribbon in its beak with the phrase, “E Pluribus Unum,” meaning “One out of many.” The eagle is supporting a coat of arms without support, which is symbolic to remind America that it should stand on its own, free from reliance on other nations for aid. In each of its talons it holds a bunch of arrows and an olive branch representing war and peace. Underneath the eagle is printed the Coast Guard’s motto, “Semper Paratus, 1790,” which means, “Always Ready.”

The Coast Guard flag flies on many occasions such as ceremonies, parades, installations, and more. In addition, the flag is also displayed in the offices of the United States President, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for protecting and preserving our nation’s coasts. More specifically, it carries out six maritime-related duties: maritime law enforcement, maritime prevention, maritime transportation management, maritime response, maritime security and maritime defense. As a branch of the U.S. military, though, the U.S. Coast Guard has its own flag. What is the U.S. Coast Guard flag exactly, and what does it symbolize?

Overview of the US Coast Guard Flag

Even if you’re unfamiliar with it, you’ve probably seen the U.S. Coast Guard flag before. It features the Great Seal of the United States with the words “United States Coast Guard” on top and “Semper Paratus – 1790” on the bottom. The Great Seal of the United States is displayed in a blue color, but it features an overlay of red-and-white stripes. The rest of the U.S. Coast Guard flag is entirely white.

The U.S. Coast Guard flag features 1790 because this is the year in which the Revenue Service Cutter was founded. The Revenue Service Cutter was essentially the predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard flag. Therefore, 1790 is a symbolic year for the U.S. Coast Guard flag and is depicted in its official flag.

History of the US Coast Guard Flag

The origins of the U.S. Coast Guard flag remain a mystery. It’s unknown who or when it was originally designed. One belief is that the U.S. Coast Guard flag was originally a variant of the Union Jack flag. A mid-19th century painting known depicted Alexander Hamilton holding a U.S. Coast Guard flag that’s closely resembled the Union Jack flag. There was even canton depicted in this flag — just like with the Union Jack flag.

What About the Ensign Flag?

There are technically two versions of the U.S. Coast Guard flag. The main and official version consists of the aforementioned design. It features the Great Seal of the United States with “United States Coast Guard” and “Semper Paratus – 1790.” However, there’s another version of the U.S. Coast Guard flag. Known as the Coast Guard Ensign flag, it was first displayed by the Revenue Cutter Service around the turn of the 19th century. The purpose of this alternative U.S. Coast Guard flag was to distinguish revenue cutter ships from merchant ships.

The Coast Guard Ensign flag didn’t use the same design as the official U.S. Coast Guard flag. Rather, it featured 16 vertical stripes in alternating red and white colors. In the upper-left corner of the Coast Guard Ensign flag was the Great Seal of the United States.

When was the Coast Guard flag adopted?
What is on the Coast Guard flag?
Where can I purchase a Coast Guard flag?

When was the Coast Guard flag adopted?

The current United States Coast Guard Flag was adopted on January 29, 1964.

What is on the Coast Guard flag?

The symbol on the United States Coast Guard Flag is the great Seal of the United States in blue centered on a white field. Above the Seal, in an arc are the words, “United States Coast Guard”, and below the Seal are the words “Semper Paratus” meaning: “Always Ready,” and beneath that is the year 1790, the year the Coast Guard was established.

Where can I purchase a Coast Guard flag?

For a beautiful, 100% made in the USA, Coast Guard flag, go to Star Spangled Flags. Their flags are UV protected against the harmful rays from the sun. They also use double lock stitching all around the flag, and on the fly end they use quadruple lock stitching to prevent premature unraveling. The flags are crafted using heavyweight 200 denier nylon to keep it strong for outdoor use.

US Coast Guard flag