USCGC Acushnet (WMEC-167)

USCGC ACUSHNET (WMEC-167)

Official blazon

SHIELD: Argent, three piles reversed in point wavy Azure and overall three swords points up one in pale surmounting two in saltire of the first handles Or; on a canton Gules a shackbolt Or.
CREST: On a wreath Argent and Azure a sea-lion or langued and armed Gules grasping a life ring Argent tethered Gold and enfiling two boat oars in saltire of the like.
MOTTO: Upon a scroll Argent doubled Azure the words JUVATE, SERVATE, CONFIRMATE (ASSIST, PROTECT, ENFORCE) in Blue.
SEAL: The coat of arms described above emblazoned upon a light blue disc, enclosed by a white collar edged on the outer side with gold rope and inscribed ‘USCGC ACUSHNET‘ above and ‘WMEC – 167’ below all in dark blue.

Origin/meaning

SHIELD: The blue wavy partitions suggest the wake of a cutter. The three swords allude to the Acushnet’s law enforcement duties in the Pacific, Atlantic and currently in the Gulf of Mexico. The red canton and shackbolt refer to the first commissioning of the Acushnet as the USS SHACKLE (ARS-9) during World War II.

CREST: The life ring and life boat oars refer to the Acushnet’s search and rescue duties. The sea-lion symbolizes the courage and seamanship required to perform these duties

Literature: Image from Wikimedia Commons, Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.

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