Summary

DescriptionSeal of the United States War Office.png	English: Seal of the United States War Office
Date	1778
Source	US Army Institute of Heraldry
Author	English: United States Army
Permission ( Reusing this file)	Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse This image shows a flag, a coat of arms, a seal or some other official insignia produced by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. It is in the public domain but its use is restricted by Title 18, United States Code, Section 704 [1] and the Code of Federal Regulations (32 CFR, Part 507) [2], [3]. Permission to use these images in the USA for most commercial purposes must be obtained from The Institute of Heraldry prior to their use. Deutsch ∙ English ∙ فارسی ∙ 日本語 ∙ русский ∙ +/− – English: US Army Institute of Heraldry

Summary

1. In the center is a Roman cuirass below a vertical unsheathed sword, point up, the pommel resting on the neck opening of the cuirass and a Phrygian cap supported on the sword point, all between on the right an esponton and on the left a musket with fixed bayonet crossed in saltire behind the cuirass and passing under the sword guard.
2. To the right of the cuirass and esponton is a flag of unidentified designs with cords and tassels, on a flagstaff with spearhead, above a cannon barrel, the muzzle end slanting upward behind the cuirass, in front of the drum, with two drumsticks and the fly end of the flag draped over the drumhead; below, but partly in front of the cannon barrel, is a pile of three cannon balls.
3. To the left of the cuirass and musket is a national color of the Revolutionary War period, with cords and tassels, on a flagstaff with spearhead, similarly arranged above a mortar on a carriage, the mortar facing inward and in front of the lower portion of the color and obscuring the lower part of it; below the mortar are two bomb shells placed side by side.
4. Centered above the Phrygian cap is a rattlesnake holding in its mouth a scroll inscribed "This We'll Defend."
5. Centered below the cuirass are the Roman numerals "MDCCLXXVIII." (1778).

Symbolism

1. The central element, the Roman cuirass, is a symbol of strength and defense.
2. The sword, esponton (a type of half-pike formerly used by subordinate officers), musket, bayonet, cannon, cannon balls, mortar, and mortar bombs are representative of Army implements.
3. The drum and drumsticks are symbols of public notification of the Army's purpose and intent to serve the Nation and its people.
4. The Phrygian cap (often called the Cap of Liberty) supported on the point of an unsheathed sword and the motto "This We'll Defend" on a scroll held by the rattlesnake is a symbol depicted on some American colonial flags and signifies the Army's constant readiness to defend and preserve the United States.
5. This "War Office" seal continues to be used to this day when legal certification is necessary to authenticate as "official" documents and records of the Department of the Army.#Black is indicative of determination and constancy. Gold represents achievement, dignity, and honor.

Background

1. The traditional seal used during and since the Revolution was redesignated as the Seal of the Department of the Army by the National Security Act of 1947.
2. The Department of the Army seal is authorized by Section 3011, Title 10, United States Code.
3. The date "MDCCLXXVIII" and the designation "War Office" are indicative of the origin of the seal.
4. The date ( 1778) refers to the year of its adoption.
5. The term "War Office" used during the Revolution, and for many years afterward, was associated with the Headquarters of the Army.

Information