DA Form 7775 Lineage and Honors Certificate

DA Form 7775 Lineage and Honors Certificate – DA Form 7775 is the official U.S. Army Lineage and Honors Certificate. Issued on the July 2021 edition (DA Form 7775, JUL 2021), this document serves as the authoritative record of a unit’s organizational history and earned honors. The U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) prepares and issues it as a legal document to unit commanders. A continuation sheet, DA Form 7775-1, accommodates longer histories when needed.

Unlike operational histories or after-action reports, the Lineage and Honors Certificate provides a stylized outline that proves a unit’s continuity through redesignations, consolidations, and inactivations. This continuity entitles the unit to campaign streamers, unit decorations, heraldic items, and historical property.

Purpose of the Lineage and Honors Certificate

The primary purpose of DA Form 7775 is to establish official lineage and document honors earned in combat or service. It verifies a unit’s entitlement to:

  • Campaign participation credit and streamers
  • Unit decorations (Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, etc.)
  • Special designations (“nicknames”)
  • Heraldic items such as coats of arms, distinctive unit insignia, and guidons
  • Historical files and property

Commanders and soldiers use it to display accurate streamers on colors, standards, or guidons and to determine which unit award ribbons appear on Class A uniforms per AR 670-1. It fosters unit pride and preserves heritage for future generations.

Who Prepares and Issues DA Form 7775?

Only the Force Structure and Unit History Branch, U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) researches, prepares, and issues DA Form 7775. It applies primarily to active Modified Table of Organization and Equipment (MTOE) units at battalion level and above (or those authorized a color, standard, or guidon by The Institute of Heraldry). Exceptions appear in AR 870-5.

Preparation is not automatic. The CMH works from primary and secondary sources to ensure accuracy and legal standing. Certificates go directly to the unit commander and become accountable unit property.

How to Request DA Form 7775 for Your Unit?

U.S. Army units follow this official process (current as of 2026):

  1. The unit commander submits a written request on official unit letterhead.
  2. Address it to:
    Commander, U.S. Army Center of Military History
    ATTN: AAMH-FPO
    102 4th Ave, Bldg 35
    Fort McNair, DC 20319-5060
  3. Include a return mailing address and point of contact.
  4. Army National Guard units route requests through the National Guard Bureau.
  5. Do not submit requests for inactive units or through higher headquarters—CMH sends certificates directly to the commander.

Expect a backlog due to high demand and limited resources. Once prepared, CMH dispatches the signed certificate (often bearing the signature of the Chief of Military History) and posts the lineage information online. Veterans or the public may request copies, but priority goes to active units.

What Information Does DA Form 7775 Contain?

A completed DA Form 7775 typically includes these sections:

  • Lineage: Constitution date, initial organization, all subsequent redesignations, assignments, and status changes.
  • Campaign Participation Credit: Named campaigns with corresponding streamers (e.g., World War II, War on Terrorism).
  • Decorations: Unit awards with periods of service and any foreign citations.
  • Special Designations: Official nicknames approved by CMH.
  • Signature block: Authenticated by the Chief of Military History.

Longer certificates use the DA Form 7775-1 continuation sheet. Every entry undergoes rigorous historical verification.

Benefits and Uses of Your Unit’s Lineage and Honors Certificate

U.S. Army leaders rely on DA Form 7775 for:

  • Uniform and Display Standards — Correct streamer placement on guidons and authorized unit ribbons on Class A uniforms.
  • Heraldic and Property Entitlements — Requisitioning coats of arms, distinctive insignia, or historical artifacts.
  • Unit Pride and Training — Educating new soldiers on heritage and achievements.
  • Official Recognition — Supporting requests for special designations or historical publications.

The “How to Use a Lineage and Honors Certificate” guide (published by CMH) explains these applications in detail and remains the authoritative reference.

Official certificates are issued by CMH—blank fillable versions are not publicly distributed because CMH historians complete them. Completed sample certificates for many active units appear as PDFs on the CMH website.

For your unit’s official DA Form 7775, submit the request described above. Third-party sites may host copies, but only the CMH-issued document carries official weight.

Key official links (trusted U.S. Army sources):

Frequently Asked Questions About DA Form 7775

Is DA Form 7775 the same as a unit history?
No. It is a concise, stylized outline of lineage and honors—not a narrative operational history.

Can any soldier request DA Form 7775?
Active unit commanders submit the request. Veterans and researchers may inquire but may experience longer wait times.

How long does it take to receive the certificate?
Processing depends on CMH workload. A backlog exists, so plan accordingly.

Does my unit automatically receive updates?
No. Submit a new request when significant changes occur or a refreshed certificate is needed.

Where can I view my unit’s lineage online?
CMH posts approved lineage information after issuing the certificate. Search by branch on the CMH website.

Official U.S. Army Resources for Lineage and Honors (2026)

For the most current guidance, always refer to the official CMH site or contact your unit historian. DA Form 7775 remains the gold standard for preserving and honoring the proud legacy of America’s Army units.

Need your unit’s Lineage and Honors Certificate? Start the request process today through your commander—your unit’s official history awaits official documentation on DA Form 7775.