Cushing (DD 985) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE SHIP'S CREST USS CUSHING's coat ofnarms symbolizes the spirit and endeavors of William Barker Cushing, as well as the tradition of destroyers named in honor of this brave naval officer. The predominant colors of dark blue and gold are traditionally used bythe Navy and symbolize the sea and excellence. The indented division of the shield represents a long boom and the pile, which resembles a ship's prow, crosses the bottom aug estive of the manner to which Commander Susgiing foiled Confederate defenses to accomplish the sinking of the Albemarle. The upper area of the pile is red alluding to the :ian er and high risk of famous action and the ?act that Commander under fire more than ai at that time. The lion's courage and strength and represents the spirit and abilities of Commander Cushing. This spirit is also reflected in the ship's motto, NON SlBl SED PATRlAE , a statement attributed to the ancient Roman Cicero, which translates to Not for Self but for Country . The trident is a traditional maritime symbol and its sharp point suggest offensive action. The spar torpedo is dark alluding to the dark night and the covert nature of the sinking of the Albemarle. The dark blue also recalls the fact that Commander Cushing, a Union Officer, took the torpedo, at that time basically a Confederate weapon, and successfully used it to sink an enemy vessel. The five stars refer to the fact that this SPRUANCE destroyer is the fifth ship in the U.S. Navy named CUSHING.

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.....-. ,. . .h .-.,,.,1,:,:,l!'l1,.,, A lug-has-i..,.. ,ww .A ,. N dy.. Ava. H my K- . , nn, -,.cJ...,-----f f- fs --'--- L: William Barker Cushing 1842-1874 USS CUSHING is named after Commander William Barker Cushing, a Naval hero of the Civil War. Born in Delafield, Wisconsin, November 4, 1842, he entered the Naval Academy in 1857. He became lieutenant on July 16, 1862, and subsequently attained that rank of commander on January 31, 1872. V After a brilliant senlice in the blockading fleet offthe North Carolina coast, his plansio outfit torpedo boats to destroy the formidable and dangerous Confederate ram Albe- marle were approved. On October 27, 1864, Cushing, in a torpedo boat manned by 15 volunteers, eluded the enemy lookouts and crept up the Roanoke Fliver under defense fire from small arms and succeeded in disabling the Confederate ram Albemarle. For this action, Cushing was promoted and officially thanked by Congress, the only non- flag officer of the war to be so honored. ln the four years he had risen from midshipman to lieutenant commander he was under fire perhaps more than any other officer in the Navy and seemed to have es- caped without a scratch. After the Civil War he senfed in both the Pacific and Asiatic squadrons, commanded the LANCASTER and MAUMEEQ senfed as ordnance officer, Boston Navy Yard, and from July 11, 1873 commanded the USS WYOMING until relieved of active duty be- cause of illness. While commanding the USS WYOMING in the Caribbean, he helped to free the passengers of a ship detained by the Spanish government in Cuba. Commander Cush- ing died on December 17, 1874 at the age of thirty-two.