Mitscher (DDG 57) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 129 text:

! A Memorable Moment! USS MITSCHER (DDG 57) 125

Page 128 text:

Shield Dark blue and gold are the colors tra- ditionally associated with the Navy and represent the sea and excellence. Red is emblematic of sacrifice and valor. The cross throughout the shield recalls the Navy Cross Admiral Mitscher was awarded for his participation in the first successful transatlantic air passage. The two stars above the cross commemorate his awards of 2nd and 3rd Distinguished Service Medals and his 2nd and 3rd awards of the Navy Cross for meritorious service during operations in the Pacific during World War II. The armoured gauntlet represents the strength and survivability of the ship. The lightning bolts symbolize energy and speed and the ability of the ship to conduct multi- mission operations in any dimension. Admiral Mitscher was a pioneer of strike warfare and a steadfast proponent of quick decisive action. The gauntlet grasp- ing the lightning bolts highlights USS MITSCHER ' s motto SE ZE THE DAY - a motto which embodies Admiral Mit- scher ' s tenacious fighting spirit and dig- nifies DDG 57 ' s legacy. iest The combined anchor and trident symbolize sea prowess and combat readiness. The life preserver ringing the anchor commemorates Admiral Mit- scher ' s compassion for his crew as manifested through his relentless deter- mination in tracking down and recover- ing downed air crews. The three tines of the trident represent the ship ' s significant capabilities in strike, air, and subsurface warfare. The trident ' s position, rising above the crest, symbolizes the ability to project power over great distances. The gold wings represent Admiral Mitscher ' s service and dedication, throughout his career, in advancing naval aviation and developing strike warfare. 124 MITSCHER ' S COAT OF ARMS

Page 130 text:

Admiral Marc Andrew Mitscher U SS MITSCHER (DDG 57) is the second U.S. Navy war- ship to honor famed naval aviator and World War II hero Admiral Marc A. Mitscher (1887-1947). Known to his friends as Pete , the Admiral is most famous for his exploits as Commander of Task Force 58, a powerful combination of aircraft carriers and other war- ships which wreaked havoc upon the Japanese in the western Pa- cific. Admiral Mitscher, a 1910 grad- uate of the U.S. Naval Academy, served his first six years in the Navy at sea on various surface ships of the Pacific Fleet. Volun- teering for aviation training. Lieu- tenant Mitscher graduated from the Navy ' s first formal flight school at Pensacola, Florida, and was designated Naval Aviator 33. Several years later, in May 1919, Lieutenant Commander Mitscher was awarded his first Navy Cross for his participation in the world ' s first successful trans- Atlantic flight with the Nancys , piloting NC-1 of the squadron ' s famous Curtis flying boats. In October 1941, Captain Mit- scher was selected to be the com- missioning CO of USS HORNET. Mitscher was promoted to Rear Admiral in February 1942 and led HORNET to the war in the Pacific. Under his command, HORNET served as the launching platform for Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle ' s B-25 raid on Tokyo in April 1942. Additionally, Mit- scher ' s ship was one of three U.S. aircraft carriers that turned the tide of war against Japan at Mid- way. Assuming the role of Com- mander, Fast Carrier Task Force 58 in 1944 (commanding four sep- arate battle groups of three to four carriers each). Admiral Mitscher was involved in every major battle in the Pacific War, including: the Marshall Islands, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Marianas Turkey Shoot . Throughout these campaigns, Mitscher was supported by his friend and Chief of Staff, then Captain Arleigh Burke, the Admiral for whom the DDG 51 class of AEGIS destroyers is named. Admiral Mitscher was a man possessed of great internal strength, fighting spirit, and tena- city. USS MITSCHER (DDG 57) continues his proud legacy of na- val service. 126