UNIFORMS OF OFFICERS OF THE U. S. COAST GUARD
Commissioned officers of the Coast Guard are required to have complete outfits of full dress, dress, evening dress, blue service dress and white service dress uniforms; the occasions for wearing the various uniforms being as follows:
| Occasion. | Uniform. |
|---|---|
1. State occasions at home and abroad. | Full dress. |
2. Receiving or calling officially upon the President of the United States or the president or sovereign or a member of the royal family of any country. | |
3. At ceremonies and entertainments where it is desired to do special honor to the occasion. | |
4. At general muster on the first Sunday of each month. | |
5. When receiving an ex-President of the United States, the Vice President or the Secretary of the Treasury. | |
6. When receiving an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. | |
7. When receiving a member of the President’s Cabinet other than the Secretary of the Treasury. | |
8. When receiving the Chief Justice of the United States, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or a Committee of Congress. | |
9. When receiving the Governor of an island or group of islands occupied by the United States, or a Governor of one of the States or Territories of the United States, when within the waters of the state or territory or islands of which he is governor. | |
10. When receiving a Diplomatic Representative of the United States above the rank of Charge d’affaires when within the waters of the country to which he is accredited. | |
11. When receiving a military or naval officer of or above the rank of Brigadier General or Commodore. | |
12. When making the first visit in port to commanding officers and on occasions of ceremony and duty on shore where such uniform would be appropriate. | |
13. When serving upon Coast Guard service courts. | |
14. At muster on Sundays other than the first Sunday of each month. | |
15. On all occasions of ordinary duty and service. | Service dress or white service dress. |
16. On occasions of ceremony in the evening to which officers are invited in their official capacity, such as public balls, dinners and evening receptions. | Evening dress uniform. |
When serving as a part of the Navy during war the uniform prescribed for all ordinary occasions of duty is service dress, blue or white depending upon the temperature and weather.
The Full Dress Uniform consists of a frock coat of dark blue cloth; trousers of dark blue cloth with a stripe of gold lace braid down each outer leg seam, the stripe being one inch wide for all officers above the rank of Third Lieutenant and one-half inch for Third Lieutenant; gold shoulder knots; full dress cap; white gloves; black shoes; and the sword suspended by slings from a full dress belt, the belt and slings being covered with gold lace braid, the belts for all lieutenants and officers of corresponding rank having four stripes of dark blue silk woven through the gold braid.
U. S. Coast Guard. Officers’ sleeve braiding indicating rank
Gold braid on full dress, dress, evening dress and blue service coats.
Black braid on overcoats, without the shields
| 1. Captain Commandant | 2. Senior Captain |
| 3. Captain | 4. First Lieutenant |
U. S. Coast Guard. Officers’ sleeve braiding indicating rank
Gold braid on full dress, dress, evening dress and blue service coats.
Black braid on overcoats, without the shields
| 1. Second Lieutenant | 2. Third Lieutenant |
| 3. Engineer in Chief | 4. Lieutenant of Engineers |
The full dress coat extends nearly to the knee, is double-breasted with two rows of gilt Coast Guard buttons, nine in each row, has a standing collar trimmed with gold lace braid, the braid being one-half inch wide for officers of the rank of Third Lieutenant and one inch wide for officers above that rank. The sleeves are trimmed with stripes of gold braid as shown in the illustrations, the number of stripes for officers of the Line being as follows:
Captain Commandant.—Four stripes one-half inch wide, the lower stripe two inches above the edge of the cuff, and a gold embroidered shield one inch high above the stripes.
Senior Captain.—Three stripes of one-half inch wide with the gold shield above.
Captain.—Two stripes one-half inch wide with one stripe one-quarter of an inch wide between them and the gold shield above.
First Lieutenant.—Two stripes one-half inch wide with the gold shield above.
Second Lieutenant.—One stripe one-half inch wide with one stripe one-quarter inch wide above it and the gold shield above.
Third Lieutenant.—One stripe one-half inch wide and the gold shield above.
Engineer Officers wear the same stripes as prescribed for officers of the Line of corresponding rank, but not the gold shield.
Constructors and District Superintendents wear the same stripes as officers of the Line of corresponding ranks with the addition of stripes of distinctive color between the gold stripes; these distinctive stripes being of light brown velvet for Constructors and of light green cloth for District Superintendents.
The shoulder knots are made of gold wire cord and consist of a twisted strap terminating in an oval pad. The Corps insignia of the Coast Guard consisting of a silver foul anchor one and five-eighths inches long surcharged with a gold shield and the insignia of rank are embroidered upon the gold lace in the center of the pad.
The full dress cap for commissioned officers is made of dark blue cloth, bell-crowned, with a sloping visor of leather covered with dark blue cloth, the visors for Captain Commandant, Senior Captain and Captains being decorated with a design of oak leaves and those for the Engineer in Chief and Captains of Engineers being decorated with a one-half inch gold band around the edge. The Coast Guard insignia are embroidered on the fronts of the caps and consist of a gold spread eagle with a silver shield upon his breast, the talons of the eagle resting upon a silver foul anchor. Across the front of the cap just above the visor is a chin strap of one-half inch gold braid secured by a small gilt button at each end of the visor. The full dress cap for the Captain Commandant only has a narrow welt of gold braid around the upper edge of the crown.
The full dress belt for the Captain Commandant, Senior Captains, Captains and Staff officers of corresponding rank is covered with gold lace braid and that for Lieutenants and Staff officers of corresponding rank is covered with gold lace braid having four narrow stripes of dark blue silk woven through it.
The Dress Uniform.—Is the same as the full dress except that plain trousers of dark blue or white are worn.
U. S. Coast Guard. Officers’ shoulder marks indicating rank
Worn on the white service uniform coat and the overcoat. The shields above the stripes indicate Line officers. Gold stripes without the shields indicate Engineer officers. Light brown stripes between the gold stripes. Constructors. Light green stripes between the gold stripes, District Superintendent.
| 1. Captain Commandant | 2. Senior Captain | 3. Captain |
| 4. First Lieutenant | 5. Second Lieutenant | 6. Third Lieutenant |
| 7. Engineer Officers | 8. Staff Officers | 9. Staff Officers |
U. S. Coast Guard. Warrant officers’ collar insignia
| 1. Master’s Mate | 2. Keeper |
| 3. Boatswain | 4. Gunner |
| 5. Carpenter | 6. Machinist |
The Service Dress Uniform consists of the blue or white service coat, plain blue or white trousers and the blue or white service cap, black shoes being worn with the blue uniform and white shoes with the white uniform. When the sword is worn with this uniform it is suspended from a belt of black leather worn under the coat.
The Blue Service Coat is made of dark blue cloth or serge, with a standing collar, single-breasted, extending to about ten inches below the waist, trimmed around the collar, down both front edges, around the bottom and up the side seams of the back with black mohair braid one and one-quarter inches wide. The sleeves bear the same gold stripes indicating the rank of the wearer as those on the full dress coat, and on both sides of the collar are embroidered the insignia of rank with the insignia indicating Line or Staff in rear of it.
These insignia for commissioned officers of the Line are as follows:
| Captain Commandant | A silver spread eagle with a shield upon his breast. |
| Senior Captain | A silver oak leaf. |
| Captain | A gold oak leaf. |
| First Lieutenant | Two silver bars. |
| Second Lieutenant | One silver bar. |
| Third Lieutenant | No insignia of rank, the Coast Guard insignia only being worn. |
The Coast Guard insignia worn on the collar by commissioned officers of the Line consist of a silver foul anchor surcharged with a gold shield.
Officers of the Staff Corps (Engineers and Constructors) wear the insignia of rank of their corresponding rank in the Line and instead of the Coast Guard insignia worn by the Line officers they wear the insignia of their corps, as follows:
Engineer Officers.—A silver foul anchor surcharged with four gold oak leaves.
Constructors.—A silver foul anchor surcharged with a branch of gold leaves.
The White Service Coat for commissioned officers is a single-breasted coat of the same length as the blue service coat, with standing collar, buttoned with a single row of five Coast Guard gilt buttons, and having on each breast a pocket with a flap buttoned by a small gilt button. Shoulder marks indicating the rank and corps of the wearer are worn with this coat.
Shoulder Marks.—The shoulder marks worn on the shoulders of the white service coat and also upon the shoulders of the overcoat to indicate the rank and corps of the wearer are five inches long and two and a quarter inches wide, covered with dark blue cloth, and decorated with gold stripes and corps insignia to indicate the rank and corps of the wearer, these stripes and insignia being the same for the various ranks and corps as those worn on the sleeves of the full dress coat as previously described.
The Blue Service Cap is of the same shape and design as the full dress cap except that the braid around the band is of black mohair and the visor is made of black patent leather, the decorations on the visor for the Captain Commandant, Senior Captains, Captains, Engineer in Chief and Captains of Engineers being of gold embroidery the same as for the full dress cap.
The White Service Cap is of the same shape and description as the blue service cap except that the sides and crown above the band are of white duck.
U. S. Coast Guard. Petty officers’ chevrons
| 1. Master-at-Arms | 2. Signal Quartermaster |
| 3. Water Tender | 4. Electrician, Third Class |
U. S. Coast Guard. Petty officers’ specialty marks
| 1. Wheelman | 2. Electrician | 3. Coxswain |
| 4. Sailmaker | 5. Carpenter, Plumber, Painter | 6. Yeoman |
| 7. Blacksmith | 8. Bayman | 9. Bugler |
The Sword and Sword Knot are the same as those for the officers of the U. S. Navy except that the letters “U. S. C. G.” are etched upon one side of the blade.
The Overcoat for Commissioned Officers of the Coast Guard is the same as that for officers of the U. S. Navy ([see page 116]), the rank and corps being indicated by the shoulder knots the same as those worn on the white service coat, and the rank also being indicated by stripes of black braid upon the sleeves, the number and widths of the stripes being the same as for the full dress and blue service coats.
The Cloak for Commissioned Officers is the same as that for officers of the U. S. Navy ([see page 117]).
The Warrant officers of the U. S. Coast Guard are required to have complete outfits of blue dress, blue service dress, and for all except the Keepers of Life-Saving Stations, white service uniforms. The Keepers of Life-Saving Stations are required to have an olive-drab cotton service uniform in lieu of the white service uniform required for other warrant officers.
The Blue Dress Uniform for Warrant officers is the same as the blue service uniform for commissioned officers except that in place of the gold braid on the sleeves of the coat there is one stripe of black mohair braid one inch in width, and on each side of the collar the insignia of rank are worn, these insignia being for the various ranks as follows:
| Master’s Mate | Two gilt foul anchors crossed surcharged with a silver shield. |
| Keeper | A gilt life buoy surcharged with two gilt oars crossed. |
| Boatswain | Two gilt foul anchors crossed. |
| Gunner | A gilt spherical shell bursting into flame. |
| Carpenter | A gilt carpenter’s square. |
| Machinist | A gilt propeller wheel. |
The Blue Service Uniform is the same as the blue dress uniform.
The White Service Uniform for Warrant officers is the same as that for the commissioned officers except that the shoulder marks are not worn on the coat, the rank being indicated by metal insignia worn on the collar as described for the blue service coat, and the insignia worn upon the cap being two gilt foul anchors crossed and surmounted by a silver shield.
The Olive-drab Service Uniform worn by the Keepers of Life-Saving Stations is of the same design as the white service uniform worn by other warrant officers but the buttons and insignia worn with it are of dull finish bronze metal.
The Overcoat for Warrant Officers is the same as that for commissioned officers except that there are no stripes on the sleeves and the shoulder marks are not worn with it.
The Sword and Belt worn by warrant officers is the same as that worn by commissioned officers with service uniform.
UNIFORMS OF ENLISTED MEN OF
THE COAST GUARD
The uniforms of the enlisted men of the Coast Guard are practically the same in style and design as those worn by the enlisted men of the U. S. Navy with minor differences in the buttons and insignia of rank and the rating badges and specialty marks.
The uniforms of the Chief Petty Officers have the buttons of the Coast Guard design on the coats and the insignia on the caps consisting of a vertical gilt foul anchor surmounted by a silver shield.
For Surfmen stationed at Life-Saving Stations the summer uniform is made of olive-drab cotton duck and the buttons and insignia worn upon the coats and caps are of dull finish bronze metal.
The insignia of rank or rating for Petty Officers are worn upon the right sleeve of the coat or shirt midway between the shoulder seam and the elbow, and consist of a chevron with a spread eagle above it and a specialty mark below the eagle in the upper angle of the chevron.
The chevron is worn with the point down and is made of stripes of cloth three-eighths of an inch wide set one-quarter of an inch apart, these stripes being of scarlet cloth for blue coats and shirts and of blue cloth for white and olive-drab coats and shirts.
The eagle and the specialty marks are embroidered in white silk for blue coats and shirts and in blue silk for white and olive-drab coats and shirts.
The chevron for Chief Petty Officers consists of three stripes with an arc of a circle connecting the ends of the upper stripe; that for First class petty officers of three stripes, that for Second class petty officers of two stripes and that for Third class petty officers of one stripe, as illustrated.
The Specialty Marks indicating the particular duty or assignment of the petty officers and of certain other men having special duties are, as shown in the illustrations, as follows:
Master-at-Arms.—An upright shield.
No. 1 Surfman.—A circular life buoy surmounted by two oars crossed.
Signal Quartermaster.—Two flags crossed diagonally.
Wheelman.—A ship’s steering wheel with eight spokes.
Coxswain.—A vertical anchor crossed by a horizontal arrow.
Electrician.—A hemisphere on a vertical axis.
Electricians, First, Second and Third Class.—A device representing forked lightning, four streaks.
Sailmakers.—A closed clew iron with two eyes.
Blacksmith.—Two sledges crossed diagonally.
Yeoman and Ships Writer.—Two quill pens crossed diagonally.
Machinist and Oiler.—A ship’s propeller with three blades.
Water Tender.—A valve wheel with six spokes.
First and Second Class Carpenters, Plumbers and Painters.—Two axes crossed diagonally.
Bayman (Hospital Nurse).—A red Geneva cross.
Service Stripes.—For each three years service in the Coast Guard or U. S. Navy an enlisted man of the Coast Guard wears one service stripe. These stripes are three-eighths of an inch wide and eight inches long and are worn diagonally across the outer side of the left sleeve of the coat or shirt. They are made of scarlet cloth for blue coats and shirts and of blue cloth for white and olive-drab coats and shirts.
Branch Marks.—All enlisted men of the Coast Guard except buglers and mess attendants wear a narrow stripe around the shoulder seam of the right sleeve of the uniform shirts to indicate the branch of the service to which they belong; the stripe being red for the Engineer’s force and for all others white on blue shirts and blue on white shirts.
Buttons.—The metal buttons for the Coast Guard have a plain outer rim with an inner rim of rope design enclosing a design in relief, this design consisting of a vertical foul anchor surmounted by an eagle with the wings lifting with a wreath of laurel on one side of the anchor and a wreath of oak leaves on the other side. The buttons are of bright gilt for blue and white clothes and of dull finish bronze for olive drab clothes.
Enlisted men of the Coast Guard wear a black silk cap ribbon on the blue flat cap, the ribbon for men serving aboard ship having the name of the ship and the letters “C. G.,” thus,
U. S. S. ALGONQUIN, C. G.
and the ribbon for men serving at shore stations having the inscription,
U. S. COAST GUARD.
Leggings.—When on landing duty or guard duty ashore officers and enlisted men wear leggings of olive-drab similar to those worn in the U. S. Navy.
Gloves of iron gray wool are worn by enlisted men in cold weather.
SEAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
CHAPTER VIII
UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF THE U. S. LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE
AND U. S. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY
The United States Lighthouse Service is administered under the Department of Commerce and consists of three divisions; first, the officers and crews of the lighthouse tenders; second, the officers and crews of the lightships; and third, the keepers of the lighthouses and depots on shore.
The lighthouse tenders are steamers which plant and maintain all of the buoys which mark the channels and courses for ships of various sizes in the navigable waters of the United States, including the bays, harbors, lakes and navigable rivers. The lighthouse tenders also carry supplies to the lightships and many of the shore lighthouses.
Lightships are vessels carrying powerful lights anchored in places where it is necessary to have lights to aid in the navigation of seagoing craft but where it would be impossible or impracticable to build lighthouses.
The Depots of the Lighthouse Service are shore establishments where buoys, lights and lightships may be overhauled and repaired and where supplies may be kept in stock.
UNIFORMS OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN
OF LIGHTHOUSE TENDERS
The officers are provided with a blue uniform for cold and temperate weather and a white uniform for hot weather.
The blue uniform consists of a single-breasted sack coat of navy blue cloth extending to about ten inches below the waist, with a standing collar, buttoning down the front by buttons concealed under a fly, the collar, front and bottom edges being trimmed with black mohair braid one and one-quarter inches wide; plain trousers of dark blue cloth; and a cap of navy blue cloth with a sloping visor of patent leather, a band of black mohair braid one and one-half inches wide, a chin strap of one-half inch gold braid secured above the visor by means of a small gilt button at each end of the visor. The insignia of the Lighthouse Service, a lighthouse, are embroidered in silver on the front of the cap, surrounded by a wreath embroidered in gold.
The rank of the officer is indicated by stripes of black mohair braid around the sleeves, the number and width of the stripes for the different grades being as follows:
Captain.—Four stripes, the two outer ones one-half inch and the two inner ones one-quarter inch wide.
Chief Engineer.—Three stripes, the two outer ones one-half inch and the inner one one-quarter inch wide.
Master of Tender.—Four stripes one-quarter of an inch wide.
First Officer and Engineer of Tender.—Three stripes one-quarter of an inch wide.
First Officer and First Assistant Engineer of Tender.—Two stripes one-quarter inch wide.
Third Officer and Second Assistant Engineer of Tender.—One stripe one-quarter inch wide.
Insignia indicating the department to which an officer belongs are worn on each side of the collar, a gold anchor for deck officers (corresponding to Line officers in the Navy) and a gold three-bladed propeller for Engineer Officers.
The white uniform is similar in style and design to the blue uniform, the braid being white and the insignia on the coat collar of gilt metal.
The Overcoat for Officers is double-breasted, made of dark blue cloth, extending to three inches below the knee, with two rows of black flat buttons down the front, six in each row and a wide rolling collar. It bears no stripes or insignia.
Quartermasters and machinists wear a blue uniform consisting of a double-breasted sack coat of dark blue cloth, with five gilt buttons on each side, turn-down collar and lapels, two side pockets with flaps; plain dark blue cloth trousers; and a cap of the same pattern as that worn by officers, but having a black patent leather chin strap, and the letters “U. S. L. H. S.” embroidered in gold around the base of the silver lighthouse insignia instead of the gold wreath on the front of the officers’ cap.
The insignia indicating the rank, worn on each sleeve midway between the shoulder seam and the elbow, consist of a ship’s steering wheel embroidered in white for quartermaster and a three-bladed propeller embroidered in red for machinist.
U. S. Lighthouse Service.
Officers’ collar insignia and sleeve braiding
Collar insignia (Gold embroidery)
| 1. Deck Officers | 2. Engineer Officers | |
| Sleeve braiding (Black mohair braid) | ||
| 3. Captain | 4. Chief Engineer | 5. Master of Tender |
| 6. First Officer, | 7. Second Officer, | 8. Third Officer |
| Engineer, | First Asst. Engineer, | Second Asst. Engineer |
Insignia for Lighthouse Keepers and Watchmen
Light Stations and Depots
Keepers of lighthouses
K for keeper
| 1 for first assistant keeper |
| 2 for second assistant keeper |
| 3 for third assistant keeper |
| 4 for fourth assistant keeper |
Watchmen at general depot
| Shield | Hat ornament |
U. S. Lighthouse Service
For hot weather a uniform of white duck is provided, the design and the insignia being the same as for the blue uniform except that the sleeve stripes are of white braid.
Seamen of the crew wear blue and white uniforms similar to the working uniforms for the enlisted men of the United States Navy, and the firemen wear a blue dungaree uniform of the same pattern.
Stewards, cooks and mess attendants wear a cap similar to the officers’ cap but without ornaments or braid; a plain single-breasted coat with standing collar and plain trousers. The coats for steward have gilt buttons, the cooks and mess attendants plain buttons.
UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA FOR OFFICERS AND
ENLISTED MEN OF LIGHTSHIPS
The officers wear a uniform of navy blue cloth for winter and of navy blue serge or flannel for summer, consisting of a double-breasted sack coat with turn-down collar and lapels, with five gilt buttons on each side; a single-breasted waistcoat with a rolling collar and five small gilt buttons; plain trousers; and a cap the same as described for officers of lighthouse tenders.
Insignia are worn on the lapels of the coat, a gold anchor for deck officers and a gold three-bladed propeller for engineer officers.
Stripes of black mohair braid are worn on each sleeve, as follows:
Master.—Three stripes one-quarter inch wide.
First Mate.—Two stripes one-quarter inch wide.
Second Mate.—One stripe one-quarter inch wide.
Engineer.—Two stripes one-quarter inch wide.
Assistant Engineer.—One stripe one-quarter inch wide.
The overcoat is the same as that for officers of Lighthouse Tenders.
The enlisted men of the lightships wear the same uniforms as those described for the enlisted men of the lighthouse tenders.
UNIFORM AND INSIGNIA OF LIGHTHOUSE
AND DEPOT KEEPERS
Keepers of lighthouses and depots wear uniforms similar to those for Masters of lightships, except that no braid is worn on the sleeves and the ratings are shown by the letter “K” or numbers on the collar, while Watchmen wear the letter “W” and a Police shield, as shown in the illustrations.
The regulation buttons for the Lighthouse service are gilt and have a design consisting of a lighthouse surrounded by a circle of rope.
UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF THE U. S. COAST
AND GEODETIC SURVEY
Whenever in his judgment a national emergency requires it the President may transfer the ships and personnel of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from the Department of Commerce to the War Department or Navy Department. When so transferred the commissioned officers take relative rank as follows:
Grade 1. Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineers with and after Colonels in the Army and Captains in the Navy.
Grade 2. Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineers with and after Lieutenant Colonels in the Army and Commanders in the Navy.
Grade 3. Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineers with and after Majors in the Army and Lieutenant Commanders in the Navy.
Grade 4. Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineers with and after Captains in the Army and Lieutenants in the Navy.
Grade 5. Junior Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineers with and after First Lieutenants in the Army and Lieutenants Junior Grade in the Navy.
Grade 6. Aides with and after Second Lieutenants in the Army and Ensigns in the Navy.
CAP INSIGNIA
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
 |  |  |  |  |
| GRADE 1 | GRADE 2-SILVER | GRADE 4 | GRADE 5 | GRADE 6 |
| GRADE 3-GOLD | ||||
OTHER OFFICERS
 |  |  |  |
| GOLD LACE | STRIPES WITH COLORED VELVET PIPING. | DECK OFFICERS | |
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SLEEVE STRIPES
| GRADE 1 | GRADE 2 | GRADE 3 | GRADE 4 | GRADE 5 | GRADE 6 |
U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
Officers’ insignia on caps, shoulder straps and coat sleeves
U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
Officers’ collar insignia, showing branch of the service
Chief Engineers, surgeons, watch officers, mates and deck officers have relative rank with and after commissioned officers of the same rates of pay and when transferred they are given commissions in the Army Reserve or Naval Reserve Force according to their qualifications.
All officers are required to have blue service dress, white service dress and field uniforms and an overcoat.
The blue service dress uniform consists of a coat, trousers and cap of dark blue cloth, black shoes and white gloves, the style and trimming being practically the same as for officers of the U. S. Navy. Rank is indicated by stripes of gold lace around the sleeves, the branch of the service by insignia embroidered on the collar and the service insignia is embroidered on the front of the cap, as illustrated. Commissioned officers wear a gold triangle on a circular silver base on each sleeve above the rank stripes and the branch of other officers is shown by stripes of colored velvet between the rank stripes, the distinctive colors being light blue for Chief Engineers, dark maroon for Surgeons and dark brown for Mates and Watch Officers.
The white service uniform consists of a single-breasted coat of white duck or drill, with a stand and fall collar, five gilt service buttons down the front, two breast pockets and two lower pockets with flap and gilt button and a strap on each shoulder from the shoulder seam to the base of the collar. Rank is shown by bright metal insignia on the shoulder straps as illustrated.
The field uniform is identical with the white uniform except that the color is khaki and the buttons and collar ornaments are of bronzed metal.
The overcoat is of the same pattern as that worn by officers of the U. S. Navy, rank and branch being shown by gold stripes and color stripes as on the sleeves of the blue service coat.
The sword and belt are of the U. S. Navy pattern with the letters U.S.C. & G.S. on the blade.
SEAL OF THE U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
CHAPTER IX
UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF
THE U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
The U. S. Public Health Service, operated as a Bureau of the Department of the Treasury, has charge of the enforcement of the quarantine regulations for the prevention of the introduction of contagious and infectious diseases into the United States from abroad or from one state or territory to another; the care of sick and disabled seamen of the merchant marine, and of scientific research at home and abroad regarding diseases of man which may affect the general public health and welfare.
This service was formerly known as the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, but by an Act of Congress dated August 14, 1912, the name of the service was changed to the Public Health Service and its duties were increased and its powers and responsibilities much enlarged.
The Public Health Service is administered under a Surgeon General stationed at the National Capital, the various duties being assigned to seven divisions.
The Division of Scientific Research, as its name implies, is charged with studies of various diseases such as typhoid, malarial, typhus and yellow fevers, leprosy, tuberculosis, trachoma, pellagra, sanitation and hygiene, water supply and sewage and public health administration in states and cities in cooperation with the local authorities. This division conducts a Hygienic Laboratory at Washington and a number of field laboratories where intensive studies in these subjects are conducted. Through this division the Surgeon General of the Service enforces the laws for the regulation of the sale of viruses and serums and calls annual and special conferences of the health authorities of the several states and territories for the purpose of cooperation in the suppression of preventable diseases and the general improvement of the public health.
The Division of Foreign and Insular Quarantine and Immigration is charged with the execution of the national quarantine laws, this being accomplished at fifty Federal Quarantine Stations in the United States, with additional stations at Panama, Porto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii and the Philippines. There are also medical officers under this division detailed at various Consular stations of the United States in foreign countries to assist in the prevention of the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases into the United States or its possessions. This division also conducts the physical and mental examinations of all aliens entering the territory of the United States at any of its ports.
The Division of Domestic and Interstate Quarantine has charge of the enforcement of the laws for the prevention of the spread of contagious or infectious diseases from one state or territory to another.
The Division of Sanitary Reports and Statistics has cognizance of the collection and publication of information relative to the diseases which may threaten the public health of the United States and foreign countries.
The Division of Marine Hospitals has charge of twenty-two Marine Hospitals and about one hundred and twenty-five smaller relief stations at the different ports and cities of the country.
At these stations and hospitals the sick and disabled officers and seamen of the Coast Guard and Lighthouse Services, the Mississippi River Commission, the Engineer Corps of the Army at work upon rivers and harbors works, and the registered and licensed ships of the United States merchant marine are given necessary medical and surgical treatment. This division also furnishes the medical officers for the vessels of the Coast Guard.
The Division of Personnel and Accounts has charge of the record of the officers and men of the service and of the expenditures of the moneys appropriated for the service from the public funds.
The Miscellaneous Division issues the various annual reports, public health reports and other publications of the service, including the bulletins of the results of research at the Hygienic Laboratory at Washington.
The officers of the Public Health Service have titles corresponding to their duties and rank assimilated to that of the Army and Navy, the different grades being as follows:
- COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
- Surgeon General.
- Assistant Surgeon General.
- Senior Surgeon.
- Surgeon.
- Professor of Hygienic Laboratory.
- Passed Assistant Surgeon.
- Assistant Surgeon.
- Quarantine Inspector.
- Acting Assistant Surgeon.
- Chaplain.
- WARRANT OFFICERS
- Interne.
- Pharmacist.
- Clerk.
- ENLISTED MEN
- Station Engineer.
- Pilot.
- Marine Engineer.
- First Cook.
- Cooks.
- Coachman.
- Carpenter.
- Yardman.
- Messenger.
- Laundryman.
- Surgical Nurse.
- Female Nurse.
- Night Watchman.
- Ship Keeper.
- Boatswain.
- Coxswain.
- Ordinary Seaman.
- Fireman.
- Coal Passer.
- Boy.