Shield
Azure, a base wavy Argent, charged with four barrulet wavys of the first, overall a sea dragon Proper, banded on its tail Gules, bearing a Roman numeral 1 Or, holding between its claws a mullet Argent (Silver Gray), in chief three mullets chevronwise of the second.
Crest
From a wreath Argent and Azure, issuing from base two palm branches Vert, surmounted by a rocky mount Proper, superimposed by an anchor Or, entwined by a rope Brn, enfiled by a crown Or, garnished with five torteaus, banded Argent, crested of the second.
Supporters
Behind the shield two oars in saltire Proper, blades upward.
Motto
A scroll Gules, doubled and inscribed OPTIMA PRIMA Or, which translates to BEST FIRST.
Shield
Blue refers to the ocean, which is where USCGC DANIEL TARR will carry out Coast Guard missions. The waves further allude to the sea in which the sea dragon resides. The amphibious beast is a symbol of the USS MCKEAN and known as The Green Dragon, and the ship to which Surfman Daniel Tarrs Higgins Boat Number 1 was assigned. The heraldic sea dragon holds between its claws a silver star, commemorating Daniel Tarrs achievement of being awarded the Silver Star Medal during World War II. The red and gold band on its tail has the number 1, indicating the Higgins Boat Number 1 operated by Daniel Tarr, and signifying USCGC DANIEL TARR as the first Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to be homeported in Texas. The three stars above honor the other three Silver Star recipient coxswains (Harold Miller, Glen Harris, and William Sparling), who were part of the first wave landing at Tulagi Island. Together with Daniel Tarr, they were the first enlisted Coast Guardsmen to receive the Silver Star.
Crest
The mount and palm leaves suggest Tulagi Island, where Daniel Tarr and the other Coast Guard Silver Star recipients landed their Higgins Boats to constitute the first assault wave of World War II. The anchor represents the rank of Chief Petty Officer, the final rank achieved by Daniel Tarr. The crown denotes USCGC DANIEL TARRs founding location of Galveston, Texas, which is nicknamed The Queen City of the Gulf. The crested band around the crown further alludes to the sea and rough waters Coast Guardsmen endure.
Supporters
The crossed oars symbolize teamwork and cooperation. They further signify Daniel Tarrs service as a Surfman in the U.S. Coast Guard and as a Higgins Boat coxswain during World War II.
Scroll
The colors of the scroll are symbolic of the red and gold in the U.S. Marine Corps standard. Daniel Tarr earned the Silver Star for delivering members of the Marine Corps 1st Raider Battalion from the USS MCKEAN to Tulagis shores.
Motto
The Latin phrase, OPTIMA PRIMA, is the motto which translates to BEST FIRST. It was condensed from the 4H motto To Make the Best Better. Surfman Daniel Tarr became an active 4H member following his Coast Guard service and did his best to live his life by this motto.
Seal
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white disc within a Dark Blue designation band, edged with a Gold rope and bearing the name USCGC DANIEL TARR at the top and WPC 1136 at the base.