I have been wondering about the inception of the Cutterman's Pin, but have been unable to find any information on it other then this blurb:

quote:

When the idea for the creation of a Cutterman’s Pin was announced and a board organized to work towards this goal, Calhoun was asked to participate. The result was a distinguishing insignia that Coasties have worn for thirty years designating them as the sailors of cutters and the keepers of the traditions of the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard’s predecessor.

taken from here

If anyone has more specific information please post it.

Thanks

All I can tell you is they weren't giving them out when I got out in '73. I was told they came out in the '74 - '75 time frame.

Petty Officer B.

Initially the Cuttermans Pin was authorized while RADM R.W. Durfey was Chief of Personnel at CGHDQTRS during the time frame 1975-76.

I would suggest that you contact Master Chief Bill Wells, as he did a quite a study of the "Pin" and it's history, Drop me a line at cgrdcs@gmail.com and I'll give you his email.

Jack

I just took a look at my D214 from my first enlistment n the CG. It was signed by LCDR. Durfey, XO of the Dexter in 1964.

Stan,

It was probably not the same Durfey, but could be, but 5 years from LCDR to Capt seems rather fast, Captain RW Durfey was the second CO of CGC RUSH, in early 70 and was CO during the NAM Deployment. He was at the Naval War college prior to RUSH.

He made Flag officer and went to CGHDQTRS, then Commander of CGD7, from where he retired.

His son was an aviator, who I last heard some years ago now, was CO of CG Air Station Atlantic City. He also has retired now.


Jack

From recollections of the timeframe, articles from the USN magazine ALL HANDS, and back issues of theUSCGs RESERVIST magazine.

In late 1970 the USN authorized the small craft insignia for those enlisted and officer operating the various small craft in Viet Nam. A little bit later on the CRAFTMASTER insignia was authorized for the USN tug operators and other service craft. Remember that at the time, Coast Guard uniform regs were the same as USN uniform regs, but with a CG addendum.

In 1972, in keeping with the USN insignia, the COXSWAIN insignia was created for CG boat coxns completing the old CG-313 Boat Crew Training Book. In the late 1960s the USN had an officer qual code, 1110, Surface Warfare Officer. to add prestige to that SWO designation, by late 1974 the USN was authorizing and designing the SWO insignia. By 1980 they also authorized the Enlisted Surface Warfare Insignia.

Since I do not recall much, if any, scuttlebutt about a CUTTERMANS INSIGNIA. It was quite a surprise when being told, in late winter or early spring of 1975, that, "you have over 5 years sea duty go pick up your new cuttermans insignia at the exchange. I would suspect it was directly connected to the timing of the USN insignia.

The original criteria was the completion of 5 years sea duty. It could be on the same cutter or multiple cutters. You were expected to get watch qualified ASAP after reporting aboard, so there was no tie in to this PQS stuff you do today. Strictly Sea Time. The insignia depicts the ocean wave, bow wave of a cutter making way, the 8 ships wheel on a steady heading, the Coast Guard distinguishing mark (shield) and a 5 ray star indicating 5 years sea duty.

Why chest insignia ??? Enlisted had worn " distinguishing marks" on the sailor uniform to show special quals. Exceptions were the Submariners Dolphins and after 1958 the aircrew insignia. The USN was not big on chest insignia. BY 1972 in became clear that the USN was changing its uniform to the CPO/O style. Sew on marks were not compatable with that type uniform. As the CG would have to change uniforms also, the a shift to the chest insignia was inevitable.

FWIW, the proper name is Cuttermans Insignia, it is probably picking the fly shlitz out of the pepper, but frat boys and sorority sisters wear "pins" . Coast Guardsmen wear qualification insignia.

You'll have to dig around quite a bit to confirm all the references, I dumped them from my computer quite a while ago and not going to try and dig out that ancient info again.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MastersMate,

quote:

It was probably not the same Durfey, but could be, but 5 years from LCDR to Capt seems rather fast, Captain RW Durfey was the second CO of CGC RUSH, in early 70 and was CO during the NAM Deployment. He was at the Naval War college prior to RUSH.

Jack,

I'm sure it was the same guy. Very, very sharp. Tall, slender, dark hair. Super squared away. I think I saw a pic of him as C.O. of the Rush and recognized him. My DD 214 is signed R. W. Durfey. No idea how long he had been a LCDR. Might have been close to strapping on CDR insignia back then. I got out in June of '64.

EDIT- Jack, just looked at the Rush cruise book on Fred's Place. Same guy.

quote:

Originally posted by Mastersmate:
In the late 1960s the USN had an officer qual code, 1110, Surface Warfare Officer.

Yes indeed, yes indeed!

A nugget of information which few here in these USCG Forums were undoubtedly aware...until now.