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Vintage Auxiliary Patrol Sign Banner
(Coast Guard Auxiliary photo and article by COMO Joseph Giannattasio)

This period Auxiliary patrol sign was provided by the widow of an Auxiliarist who joined the Ocean City, NJ Flotilla in 1955 and remained an active member for 47 years until passing over the bar in 2003. It was issued for his 21-ft. Chris Craft used on Auxiliary patrols.

First utilized in 1968, the sign banner is made entirely of wood and hand-painted. Auxiliary vessels on patrol would display the orange sign while flying the Auxiliary ensign below the “commission pennant,” a long streamer with blue and white diagonal stripes.

This banner/ensign configuration preceded the current Auxiliary surface patrol ensign and banners which were introduced in 1984.