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Coast Guard Auxiliary Identification Cards
Researched by COMO Joseph Giannattasio

The earliest Coast Guard Auxiliary identification cards, issued around the 1940s, were simple paper documents that included a small black-and-white photograph, typed or handwritten personal details, and the Auxiliary emblem. These cards were often carried in leather holders and served mainly as proof of membership rather than formal federal credentials.

As the decades progressed—particularly through the 1960s to the 1990s—the Auxiliary transitioned to wallet cards that could be laminated in plastic. These later versions were more durable, sometimes included photographs, and displayed standardized information such as member number, district, and expiration dates.

After 9/11, identification practices modernized, and the Auxiliary adopted more uniform, professional-looking photo ID cards nationwide. These included improved printing, barcodes, and consistent formatting modeled loosely on Coast Guard active-duty IDs, though they do not necessarily grant facility access.

In the 2020s, with the introduction of AUXDATA II, the Auxiliary began issuing today’s standardized, high-quality plastic photo IDs, which feature clearer imagery and updated security elements.

AUX ID CARD 1942 - Auxiliary ID circa 1942
Detroit Historical Society

AUX ID CARD 1963 - Laminated Auxiliary ID Card 1963
COMO Joseph Giannattasio Collection

AUX ID CARD 1977 - Auxiliary ID Card 1977
COMO Joseph Giannattasio Collection

AUX ID CARD 1978a - Auxiliary ID Card 1978 - early version
COMO Joseph Giannattasio Collection

AUX ID CARD 1978b - Auxiliary ID Card 1978 - later version
COMO Joseph Giannattasio Collection