Fletcher (DD 992) - Naval Cruise Book

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Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher ■ Namesake DD-992 The Coat of Arms for USS FLETCHER commemorates highlights of the Naval Career of the ship ' s namesake, Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher. Blue and gold are the colors associated by tradition with the U.S. Navy. The chess rook, heraldic symbol for a fortress, alludes to the Admiral ' s early combat experience at the Battle of Vera Cruz, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The engrailed cross with its wave-like edges, taken from the Fletcher family coat of arms, suggests the oceans of the world which he sailed. With the four stars, reflecting the rank of full Admiral, the cross also refers to the Southern Cross, a navigational guide to mariners under which the Admiral ' s ships sailed during World War U. The arrows, adapted from the Fletcher coat of arms, are symbolic of the name (a Fletcher being a maker of arrows). As symbols of flight they reflect the Admiral ' s mastery of the tactical use of naval air power. The anchor represents Admiral Fletcher ' s long naval career that included service aboard destroyers, cruisers, battleships, and carriers. The inverted star in silhouette is a reference to the Medal of Honor pendant. His battle experience with Japanese forces during three of the principle carrier air battles of World War II: Coral Sea, Midway, and the Eastern Solomons, is symbolized by a naval cutlass resting in superior position over a samurai sword. The ship ' s motto, PACE ET BELLO PARATUS (In Peace and War Prepared), characterizes the traits common of the various naval forces that Admiral Fletcher served with or commanded. Coat Of Arms OSS Fletcher (DD-992) 80

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