Coast Guard Academy’s flags multiply

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Coast Guard sealBedecked with school flags and guidons, the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, is marking the centenary of its 1915 founding. But it’s somewhat confused about its own standard.

According to the school’s website, “the origins of the Coast Guard standard are very obscure. It may have evolved from an early jack.” According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a jack is “a ship’s flag of smaller size than the ensign, used at sea as a signal, or as a mark of distinction.” It is often “flown from the jack-staff at the bow of a vessel” and signals the vessel’s nation of origin.

Coast Guard flagThe Coast Guard supports its supposition through a 1917 drawing that shows the “standard as a white flag with a blue eagle and 13 stars in a semi-circle surrounding it.” Eventually, words would be added to the flag: “United States Coast Guard – Semper Paratus,” meaning “always prepared.” The flag evolved again about a half-century ago when the semi-circle became a full circle.

Coast Guard ensignBut, if you think you’re done learning about Coast Guard flags, think again. As the website explains, the Coast Guard is unique because it has “two official flags, the Coast Guard standard and the Coast Guard ensign.”

Back we go to the service’s website, which notes that the ensign was put in place in 1799 “in pursuance of authority from the President.” It has “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.”

In 1924, a Coast Guard flag was given to a U.S. Senator to mark 25 years in Congress and his support of the Guard. (Library of Congress)So, is that the conclusion of the story of the Coast Guard’s school banners and flags? Nope. The service also has:

*a commission pennant that signals that a commissioned officer is aboard a ship;

*the Coast Guard Color, which is the standard but with extras, such as fringe and a finial on the flagstaff in the shape of a battle axe;

*the Coast Guard Guidon, which is a swallowtail;

*personal flags for the commandant, vice commandment and various admirals;

*command pennants that fly when an officer “below flag rank” is in command;

*award pennants, given for various achievements; and

*the sailing club’s own colors.

Happy 100th birthday to the Coast Guard Academy, even though the Guard has existed since 1790. But that’s another story altogether.

(See the Coast Guard’s many banners, pennants and guidons at www.seaflags.us/uscg/uscg.html.)

James Breig is a veteran author who specializes in history. His most recent book is “Star-Spangled Baseball: True Tales of Flags and Fields” about the links between the sport and flags. He is also the author of a nonfiction book about WWII, "Searching for Sgt. Bailey: Saluting an Ordinary Soldier of World War II" and co-author of "The Mystery of the Multiple Mothers," a novel. All three are available at www.amazon.com. His articles have appeared in newspapers and national magazines, including the Colonial Williamsburg Journal (search for them at www.history.org/journal) and History Magazine. He has won many national awards for his opinion writing, media columns and feature articles.

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