America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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t t' J UNITED STATES SHIP AMERICA

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AMERICA’S Seal The design of the coat-of-arms of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV-66) has its origin in heraldry. The theme is based on the Revolutionary War and the honors intended for the Captain of the first USS AMERICA, the father of the U.S. Navy, John Paul Jones. The upper portion of the coat-of-arms consists of a crest with an American flag of the Revolutionary War, flying above the most glorious event of Jones’ naval career, the battle of BON HOMME RICHARD, which he commanded, with HMS SERAPIS. He defeated SERAPIS in a desperate fight and. as his own ship was mortally wounded, Jones raised the Amerian flag over SERAPIS and sailed her into the Dutch harbor of Texal. Below this is a shield supported by two stags, adapted from the stags which appear on the coat-of-arms of John Paul Jones. These sea stags wear medallions around their necks representing the many honors accorded to Jones by France and the United States. The shield supported by the two stags bear two pheons. or arrowheads, symbolic of the force or power in heraldic design. The lower third of the shield features a coiled rattlesnake, which was a popular symbol of many Revolutionary War flags. The shield of white alludes to the ships sent to America’s aid under the Bourbon flag of France. At the base of the coat-of-arms is AMERICA’S motto: “Don't Tread On Me”. These words were common on battle standards during the Revolutionary War as the colonies fought for their freedom and are today characteristic of the spirit and traditions of this great nation. 18