Please watch this awesome video below: 

Hi patch collectors, thanks for visiting us at www.patches-military.com. We try to update this website whenever possible.  
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Click Here for information about the Korean War, our long time good friend on the internet, Ted Barker has a wonderful website and even has my Uncle Joe (KIA) listed on the site. It's extremely detailed! Come back to patches-mlitary.com after you visit this wonderful database. 
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Check out this custom made vest from long time customer and online friend Robert Beck!

Folks, click this and watch history happen. 

This video may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes only. This constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. 

Thanks for the photos above: AP / Matt Rourke; AP / Lenny Ignelzi; AP / Phil Coale; Bryan Patrick; 

Comments from some of your customers for special orders!


SIR, Thank you for update, Had eleven (11) of your patches mounted and framed now hanging on my wall, seeing them next to my other patches only proves your doing a great job and they do stand on their own.  CHRIS M.....

Incredible!   Worth the wait.  Thanks!  Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android  Scott H, Iowa

Amazing !!! The beautiful 561st TFS patch landed safely yesterday evening (Tuesday, May 22, 2012).  Thank you very much.  Best regards.  Chris B from Newport, ME

Got the patch yesterday – sooner than anticipated! It more than meets my expectations. 
Thanks again,  Kevin D. Ohio

 The patches arrived yesterday.  They are absolutely splendid!  Just exactly what I was looking for to go with a display honoring the units that have been a part of Otis AFB here on Cape Cod.  Thank you so much for your attentive customer service, exquisite work,  and prompt shipping.  I will bookmark your website and you will probably be hearing from me again.  Best regards,  Jean H from Rockford, IL 

Just a short line to let you know that I received the patch today. It came early. It is just WONDERFULL!!!!!!! I could not be more pleased!!!! THANK YOU,THANK YOU,THANK YOU. I really LOVE IT!!!  Joseph G from Warren, MI

Just to let you know, yesterday I went to the Post Office and picked up the pkg. with the patch. Great job folks, thanks a lot. Really appreciate it. Thanks again and look forward to the future if need be. Later, friend, Mike P., Austin,Tx.

Received the patches and they are great!  Thanks I've got as many of my dad's as I know about.  When I get the box complete I'll pass on a photo.  I appreciate your help.
Kevin M, Flagstaff, AZ

I don't know how you did it, but the patch I ordered just showed up :-)  It had an estimated delivery date of Jan. 14th, but it arrived on Christmas Eve. I noticed your sticker on the package about "Please deliver before Christmas! Thanks... Santa"  
Well, it worked!    Thank you again :-)     Peace and Merry Christmas,    Rick C. from Hockessin, DE

Thank you for the prompt service. Very happy with the badge, which shall soon be sewn on to my jacket.  Peter P. Great Britain 

You have no idea how cool that is to me. I am a huge military historian, and my favorite theater of war is the Pacific theater.  As a veteran I just want to say,  Thank you so much. Carlos

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I was out of town. I received the patches. They look even better in person than on your website. I will definitely be ordering more from you in the future. It's awesome to see someone reproducing Korean War Navy squadron insignia, especially museum quality replicas of these impossible to find patches.   Thanks again!  Justin
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Hello,  It arrived now !!  It is beautiful !!  Thanks for all ...  Fabio  - Roma, Italia

THANKS FOR WIKIPEDIA FOR THE INFORMATION BELOW

The origin of the 2 letter code derives from the need to distinguish various cruiser sub-types.
Contrary to popular belief, the "CV" hull classification symbol does not stand for "Carrier Vessel". The "CV" designation was originally derived from cruisers, since aircraft carriers were seen as an extension of the sea control and denial mission of cruisers. The "V" designation for heavier-than-air craft comes from the French verb voler (to fly). Since 1935, "CV" has been a two-letter, unitary hull classification symbol meaning "aircraft carrier". Aircraft carriers are designated in two sequences: the first sequence runs from CV-1 USS Langley to the very latest ships, and the second sequence, "CVE" for escort carriers, ran from CVE-1 Long Island to CVE-128 Okinawa before being discontinued.

• AV: Seaplane Tender (retired)
• AVG: Auxiliary Aircraft Ferry (Escort carrier) (1941–2)
• AVD: Seaplane Tender Destroyer (retired)
• AVP: Seaplane Tender, Small (retired)
• AVT (i) Auxiliary Aircraft Transport (retired)
• AVT (ii) Auxiliary Training Carrier (retired)
• ACV: Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier (Escort carrier) (1942)
• CV: Fleet aircraft carrier (1921–1975), Multi-purpose Aircraft carrier (1975–present)
• CVA: Aircraft Carrier, Attack (category merged into CV, 30 June 1975)
• CVAN: Aircraft Carrier, Attack, Nuclear-powered (category merged into CVN, 30 June 1975)
• CVB: Aircraft Carrier, Large (Original USS Midway class, category merged into CVA, 1952)
• CVE: Escort aircraft carrier (retired) (1943–retirement of type)
• CVHA: Aircraft Carrier, Helicopter Assault (retired in favor of several LH-series amphibious assault ship hull codes)
• CVHE: Aircraft Carrier, Helicopter, Escort (retired)
• CVL: Light aircraft carrier (retired)
• CVN: Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear-powered
• CVS: Antisubmarine Aircraft Carrier (retired)
• CVT: Aircraft Carrier, Training (changed to AVT (Auxiliary))
• CVU: Aircraft Carrier, Utility (retired)
• CVG: Aircraft Carrier, Guided Missile (retired)
• CVV:  Aircraft Carrier, Vari-Purpose, Medium (retired unused)

Surface combatant type are ships which are designed primarily to engage enemy forces on the high seas. The primary surface combatants are battleships, cruisers and destroyers. Battleships are very heavily armed and armored; cruisers moderately so; destroyers and smaller warships, less so. Before 1920, ships were called "no. X", with the type fully pronounced. The types were commonly abbreviated in ship lists to "B-X", "C-X", "D-X" et cetera—for example, before 1920, USS Minnesota (BB-22) would have been called "USS Minnesota, Battleship number 22" orally and "USS Minnesota, B-22" in writing. After 1920, the ship's name would have been both written and pronounced "USS Minnesota (BB-22)". In generally decreasing size, the types are:

• B: Battleship (pre-1920)
• BB: Battleship
• BBG: Battleship, Guided Missile or Arsenal Ship (theoretical only, never assigned)
• BM: Monitor (1920–retirement)

• ACR: Armored Cruiser (pre-1920)
• C: Cruiser (pre-1920 Protected Cruisers and Peace Cruisers)
• CA: (first series) Cruiser, Armored (retired, comprised all surviving pre-1920 Armored and Protected Cruisers)
• CA: (second series) Heavy Cruiser, category later renamed Gun Cruiser (retired)
• CAG: Cruiser, Guided Missile (retired)
• CB: Large cruiser (retired)
• CBC: Large Command Cruiser (retired, never used operationally)
• CC: Battlecruiser (retired, never used operationally)
• CC: (second usage) Command Ship (retired)
• CLC: Command Cruiser
• CG: Cruiser, Guided Missile
• CGN: Cruiser, Guided Missile, Nuclear-powered
• CL: Light Cruiser Cruiser Light (retired)
• CLAA: Cruiser, Light, Anti-aircraft (retired)
• CLG: Cruiser, Light, Guided Missile (retired)
• CLGN: Cruiser, Light, Guided Missile, Nuclear-powered (retired)
• CLK: Cruiser, Hunter-Killer (abolished 1951)
• CM: Cruiser-minelayer (retired)
• CS: Scout Cruiser (retired)
• CSGN: Strike Cruiser Cruiser, Strike, Guided Missile, Nuclear-powered

• D: Destroyer (pre-1920)
• DD: Destroyer
• DDC: Corvette (briefly proposed in the mid-1950s)
• DDE: Escort Destroyer (not to be confused with Destroyer Escort, DE: an Escort Destroyer; DDE, was a Destroyer, DD, converted for antisubmarine warfare) (category abolished 1962)
• DDG: Destroyer, Guided Missile
• DDK: Hunter-Killer Destroyer (category merged into DDE, 4 March 1950)
• DDR: Destroyer, Radar Picket (retired)

• DE: Destroyer Escort (World War II, later became Ocean escort)
• DE: Ocean escort (abolished 30 June 1975)
• DEG: Guided Missile Ocean Escort (abolished 30 June 1975)
• DER: Radar Picket Destroyer Escort (abolished 30 June 1975)

There were two distinct breeds of DE, the World War II Destroyer Escorts (some of which were converted to DERs) and the postwar DE/DEG classes, which were known as Ocean Escorts despite carrying the same type symbol as the World War II Destroyer Escorts. All DEs, DEGs, and DERs were reclassified as FFs, FFGs, or FFRs, 30 June 1975.

• DL: Destroyer Leader (later Frigate) (retired)
• DLG: Frigate, Guided Missile (abolished 30 June 1975)
• DLGN: Frigate, Guided Missile, Nuclear-Propulsion (abolished 30 June 1975)

The DL category was established in 1951 with the abolition of the CLK category. CLK 1 became DL 1 and DD 927–930 became DL 2–5. By the mid-1950s the term Destroyer Leader had been dropped in favor of Frigate. Most DLGs and DLGNs were reclassified as CGs and CGNs, 30 June 1975. However, DLG 6–15 became DDG 37–46. The old DLs were already gone by that time.

• DM: Destroyer, Minelayer (retired)
• DMS: Destroyer, Minesweeper (retired)

• FF: Frigate (retired)
• PF: Patrol Frigate (retired)
• FFG: Frigate, Guided Missile
• FFH: Frigate with assigned Helicopter
• FFL: Frigate, Light
• FFR: Frigate, Radar Picket (retired)
• FFT: Frigate (Reserve Training) (retired)

The FF, FFG, and FFR designations were established 30 June 1975 as new type symbols for ex-DEs, DEGs, and DERs. The first new-built ships to carry the FF/FFG designation were theOliver Hazard Perry-class frigates. A new series of frigate-size warships for shallow-water combat at expense of battlegroup performance is under production:

• PG: Patrol Gunboat (retired)
• PCH: Patrol Craft. Hydrofoil (retired)
• PHM: Patrol, Hydrofoil, Missile (retired)

• K: Corvette (retired)

• LCS: Littoral Combat Ship

• M: Monitor (1880s–1920)

Submarine type are all self-propelled submersible types (usually started with SS) regardless of whether employed as combatant, auxiliary, or research and development vehicles which have at least a residual combat capability. While some classes, including all diesel-electric submarines, are retired from USN service, non-U.S. navies continue to employ SS, SSA, SSAN, SSB, SSC, SSG, SSM, and SST types.  With the advent of new Air Independent Propulsion/Power (AIP) systems, both SSI and SSP are used to distinguish the types within the USN, but SSP has been declared the preferred term. SSK, retired by the USN, continues to be used colloquially and interchangeably with SS for diesel-electric attack/patrol submarines within the USN, and more formally by the Royal Navy and British firms such as Jane's Information Group.

• SC: Cruiser Submarine (retired)
• SF: Fleet Submarine (retired)
• SM: Submarine Minelayer (retired)
• SS: Submarine, Attack Submarine
• SSA: Submarine Auxiliary, Auxiliary/Cargo Submarine
• SSAN: Submarine Auxiliary Nuclear, Auxiliary/Cargo Submarine, Nuclear-powered
• SSB: Submarine Ballistic, Ballistic Missile Submarine
• SSBN: Submarine Ballistic Nuclear, Ballistic Missile Submarine, Nuclear-powered
• SSC: Coastal Submarine, over 150 tons
• SSG: Guided Missile Submarine
• SSGN: Guided Missile Submarine, Nuclear-powered
• SSI: Attack Submarine (Diesel Air-Independent Propulsion)
• SSK: Hunter-Killer/ASW Submarine (retired)
• SSM: Midget Submarine, under 150 tons
• SSN: Attack Submarine, Nuclear-powered
• SSNR: Special Attack Submarine (Nuclear-Powered)?
• SSO: Submarine Oiler (retired)
• SSP: Attack Submarine (Diesel Air-Independent Power) (alternate use), formerly Submarine Transport
• SSQ: Auxiliary Submarine, Communications (retired)
• SSQN: Auxiliary Submarine, Communications, Nuclear-powered (retired)
• SSR: Radar Picket Submarine (retired)
• SSRN: Radar Picket Submarine, Nuclear-powered (retired)
• SST: Training Submarine
• TSSBN: Trident Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear

• AGSS: Auxiliary Submarine
• AOSS: Submarine Oiler (retired)
• ASSP: Transport Submarine (retired)
• APSS: Transport Submarine (retired)
• LPSS: Amphibious Transport Submarine (retired)
• SSLP: Transport Submarine (retired)

SSP, ASSP, APSS, and LPSS were all the same type, redesignated over the years.

• IXSS: Unclassified Miscellaneous Submarine
• MTS: Moored Training Ship (Naval Nuclear Power School Training Platform; Reconditioned SSBN's)

Patrol combatant type are ships whose mission may extend beyond coastal duties and whose characteristics include adequate endurance and sea keeping, providing a capability for operations exceeding 48 hours on the high seas without support. This notably included Brown Water Navy/Riverine Forces during the Vietnam War. Few of these ships are in service today.

• PBR: Patrol Boat, River, Brown Water Navy (Pibber or PBR-Vietnam)
• PC: Coastal Patrol, originally Sub Chaser
• PCF: Patrol Craft, Fast; Swift Boat, Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)
• PE: Eagle Boat of World War I
• PF: World War II Frigate, based on British River class.
  • PFG: Original designation of USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)
• PG: Gunboat, later Patrol combatant
• PGH: Patrol Combatant, Hydrofoil
• PHM: Patrol, Hydrofoil Missile
• PR: Patrol, River, such as the USS Panay (PR-5)
• PT: Motor Torpedo Boat (World War II)
• PTF: Patrol Torpedo Fast, Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)
• PTG: Patrol Torpedo Gunboat
• Monitor: Heavily gunned riverine boat, Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)
• ASPB: Assault Support Patrol Boat, "Alpha Boat", Brown Water Navy; also used as riverine minesweeper (Vietnam)
• PACV: Patrol, Air Cushion Craft, Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)
• SP: Section Patrol, used indiscriminately for patrol vessels, mine warfare vessels, and some other types (World War I; retired 1920)

Amphibious warfare type warfare vessels include all ships having organic capability for amphibious warfare and which have characteristics enabling long duration operations on the high seas. There are two classifications of craft: amphibious warfare ships which are built to cross oceans, and landing craft, which are designed to take troops from ship to shore in an invasion.

Ships

• AKA: Attack Cargo Ship (To LKA, 1969)
• APA: Attack Transport (To LPA, 1969)
• APD: High speed transport (Converted Destroyer or Destroyer Escort) (To LPR, 1969)
• AGC: Amphibious Force Flagship (To LCC, 1969)
• LCC: Amphibious Command Ship
• LHA: General-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship also known as Landing Helicopter Assault
• LHD: Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship also known as Landing Helicopter Dock
• LKA: Amphibious Cargo Ship (out of commission)
• LPA: Amphibious Transport
• LPD: Amphibious transport dock
• LPH: Landing Platform Helicopter
• LPR: High speed transport
• LSD: Landing Ship, Dock
• LSH: Landing Ship, Heavy
• LSIL: Landing Ship, Infantry (Large) (formerly LCIL)
• LSL: Landing Ship, Logistics
• LSM: Landing Ship, Medium
• LSM(R): Landing Ship, Medium (Rocket)
• LSSL: Landing Ship, Support (Large) (formerly LCSL)
• LST: Landing Ship, Tank
• LSV: Landing Ship, Vehicle

Landing Craft

• LCA: Landing Craft, Assault
• LCAC: Landing Craft Air Cushion
• LCFF: (Flotilla Flagship)
• LCH: Landing Craft, Heavy
• LCI: Landing Craft, Infantry, World War II era classification further modified by
  • (G) – Gunboat
  • (L)- Large
  • (M)- Mortar
  • (R) – Rocket
• LCL: Landing Craft, Logistics (UK)
• LCM: Landing Craft, Mechanized
• LCP: Landing Craft, Personnel
• LCP(L): Landing Craft, Personnel, Large
• LCP(R): Landing Craft, Personnel, Ramped
• LCPA: Landing Craft, Personnel, Air-Cushioned
• LCS(L): Landing Craft, Support (Large) changed to LSSL in 1949
• LCT: Landing Craft, Tank (World War II era)
• LCU: Landing Craft, Utility
• LCVP: Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel
• LSH: Landing Ship Heavy (Royal Australian Navy)

Combat Logistics Type Ships which have the capability to provide underway replenishment to fleet units.

• AC: Collier (retired)
• AE: Ammunition Ship
• AF: Stores Ship (retired)
• AFS: Combat Stores Ship
• AKE: Advanced Dry Cargo Ship
• AKS: General Stores Ship
• AO: Fleet Oiler
• AOE: Fast Combat Support Ship
• AOR: Replenishment Oiler
• AW: Distilling Ship (retired)

Mine warfare type ships are those ships whose primary function is mine warfare on the high seas.

• AM: Minesweeper
• AMb: Harbor Minesweeper
• AMc: Coastal Minesweeper
• AMCU: Underwater Mine Locater
• MSO: Minesweeper, Ocean
• MSC: Minesweeper, Coastal
• MCM: Mine Countermeasures Ship
• MCS: Mine Countermeasures Support Ship
• MH(C)(I)(O)(S): Minehunter, (Coastal) (Inshore) (Ocean) (Hunter and Sweeper, General)
• CM: Cruiser (i.e., Large) Minelayer
• CMc: Coastal Minelayer
• MLC: Coastal Minelayer
• DM: High Speed Minelayer (Converted Destroyer)
• DMS: High Speed Minesweeper (Converted Destroyer)

Coastal defense type ships are those whose primary function is coastal patrol and interdiction.

• FS: Corvette
• PB: Patrol boat
• PBR: Patrol Boat, River
• PC: Patrol, Coastal
• PCE: Patrol Craft, Escort
• PCF: Patrol Craft, Fast, (Swift Boat)
• PF: Frigate, in a role similar to World War II Commonwealth corvette
• PG: Patrol Gunboat
• PGM: Motor Gunboat (To PG, 1967)
• PR: Patrol, River
• SP: Section Patrol

Mobile logistics type ships have the capability to provide direct material support to other deployed units operating far from home ports.

• AD: Destroyer Tender
• AGP: Patrol Craft Tender
• AR: repair ship
• AS: Submarine tender
• AV: Seaplane Tender

Auxiliary type ship is designed to operate in any number of roles supporting combatant ships and other naval operations.

• AN: Net Laying Ship
• ARL: Auxiliary Repair Light—light craft or landing craft repair ship (World War II-era, out of commission)
• ATF: Fleet Ocean Tug
• AGHS: Patrol Combatant Support Ship—Ocean or Inshore

Airships

• ZMC: Airship Metal Clad
• ZNN-G: G-Class Blimp
• ZNN-J: J-Class Blimp
• ZNN-L: L-Class Blimp
• ZNP-K: K-Class Blimp
• ZNP-M: M-Class Blimp
• ZNP-N: N-Class Blimp
• ZPG-3W: surveillance patrol blimp
• ZR: Rigid Airship
• ZRS: Rigid Airship Scout

Support ships are not designed to participate in combat, and are generally not armed. For ships with civilian crews (owned by and/or operated for Military Sealift Command and the Maritime Administration), the prefix T- is placed at the front of the hull classification.

Support type ships are designed to operate in the open ocean in a variety of sea states to provide general support to either combatant forces or shore based establishments. They include smaller auxiliaries which, by the nature of their duties, leave inshore waters.

• ACS: Auxiliary Crane Ship
• AG: Miscellaneous Auxiliary
• AGDE: Testing Ocean Escort
• AGDS: Deep Submergence Support Ship
• AGER: Environmental Research Ship
• AGF: Miscellaneous Command Ship
• AGFF: Testing Frigate
• AGM: Missile Range Instrumentation Ship
• AGOR: Oceanographic Research Ship
• AGOS: Ocean Surveillance Ship
• AGS: Surveying Ship
• AGSS: Auxiliary Research Submarine
• AGTR: Technical research ship
• AH: Hospital ship
• AK: Cargo Ship
• AKR: Vehicle Cargo Ship
• AKS: Store Issue Ship
• AOG: Gasoline Tanker
• AOT: Transport Oiler
• AP: Transport
• ARC: Cable Repair Ship 
• APL: Barracks Craft
• ARL: Small Repair Ship
• ARS: Salvage Ship
• AS: Submarine tender
• ASR: Submarine Rescue Ship
• AT: Ocean-Going Tug
• ATA: Auxiliary Ocean Tug
• ATF: Fleet Ocean Tug
• ATLS Drone Launch Ship
• ATS: Salvage and Rescue Ship
• AVB: Aviation Logistics Support Ship
• AVT: Auxiliary Aircraft Landing Training Ship
• ID or Id. No.: Civilian ship taken into service for auxiliary duties, used indiscriminately for large ocean-going ships of all kinds and coastal and yard craft (World War I; retired 1920)

Service type craft are navy-subordinated craft (including non-self-propelled) designed to provide general support to either combatant forces or shore-based establishments. The suffix "N" refers to non-self-propelled variants.

• AB: Crane Ship
• AFDB: Large Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock
• AFDL: Small Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock
• AFDM: Medium Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock
• APB: Self-Propelled Barracks Ship
• APL: Barracks Craft
• ARD: Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock
• ARDM: Medium Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock USS Oak Ridge (ARDM-1)
• ATA: Auxiliary Ocean Tug
• DSRV: Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle
• DSV: Deep Submergence Vehicle
• JUB/JB : Jack Up Barge
• NR: Submersible Research Vehicle
• YC: Open Lighter
• YCF: Car Float
• YCV: Aircraft Transportation Lighter
• YD: Floating Crane
• YDT: Diving Tender
• YF: Covered Lighter
• YFB: Ferry Boat or Launch
• YFD: Yard Floating Dry Dock
• YFN: Covered Lighter (non-self propelled)
• YFNB: Large Covered Lighter (non-self propelled)
• YFND: Dry Dock Companion Craft (non-self propelled)
• YFNX: Lighter (Special purpose) (non-self propelled)
• YFP: Floating Power Barge
• YFR: Refrigerated Cover Lighter
• YFRN: Refrigerated Covered Lighter (non-self propelled)
• YFRT: Range Tender
• YFU: Harbor Utility Craft
• YG: Garbage Lighter
• YGN: Garbage Lighter (non-self propelled)
• YH: Ambulance boat/small medical support vessel
• YLC: Salvage Lift Craft
• YM: Dredge
• YMN: Dredge (non-self propelled)
• YNG: Gate Craft
• YNT: Net Tender
• YO: Fuel Oil Barge
• YOG: Gasoline Barge
• YOGN: Gasoline Barge (non-self propelled)
• YON: Fuel Oil Barge (non-self propelled)
• YOS: Oil Storage Barge
• YP: Patrol Craft, Training
• YPD: Floating Pile Driver
• YR: Floating Workshop
• YRB: Repair and Berthing Barge
• YRBM: Repair, Berthing and Messing Barge
• YRDH: Floating Dry Dock Workshop (Hull)
• YRDM: Floating Dry Dock Workshop (Machine)
• YRR: Radiological Repair Barge
• YRST: Salvage Craft Tender
• YSD: Seaplane Wrecking Derrick
• YSR: Sludge Removal Barge
• YT: Harbor Tug (craft later assigned YTB, YTL, or YTM classifications)
• YTB: Large Harbor Tug
• YTL: Small Harbor Tug
• YTM: Medium Harbor Tug
• YTT: Torpedo Trials Craft
• YW: Water Barge
• YWN: Water Barge (non-self propelled)
• ID or Id. No.: Civilian ship taken into service for auxiliary duties, used indiscriminately for large ocean-going ships of all kinds and coastal and yard craft (World War I; retired 1920)
• IX: Unclassified Miscellaneous Unit
• X: Submersible Craft
• "none": To honor her unique historical status, USS Constitution, formerly IX 21, was reclassified to "none", effective 1 September 1975.

United States Coast Guard craft Prior to 1965, U.S. Coast Guard ships used the same designation as naval ships, but preceded by a "W" to indicate Coast Guard subordination.

• CG: all Coast Guard Ships in the 1920s (retired)
• WAGB: Coast Guard Polar-class icebreaker
• WAVP: seagoing Coast Guard seaplane tenders (retired 1960s)
• WDE: seagoing Coast Guard destroyer escorts (retired 1960s)
• WHEC: Coast Guard High Endurance Cutters
• WIX: Coast Guard Barque Eagle
• WLB: Coast Guard buoy tenders
• WLBB: Coast Guard seagoing buoy tenders/ice breaker
• WLM: Coast Guard coastal buoy tenders
• WLI: Coast Guard inland buoy tenders
• WLIC: Coast Guard inland construction tenders
• WLR: Coast Guard river buoy tenders
• WMEC: Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutters
• WMSL: Coast Guard Maritime Security Cutter, Large (referred to as National Security Cutters)
• WPC: Coast Guard patrol craft—later reclassed under WHEC
• WPB: Coast Guard Patrol Boats
• WPG: seagoing Coast Guard gunboats (retired 1960s)
• WTGB: Coast Guard Tug Boat (140' icebreakers)