Ford (FFG 54) - Naval Cruise Book

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'I 4 2 T ' A'-'WW'-'X-WQQMQ ,, ,si Q To The Friends, Family, And Relatives Who Provided The Invaluable Support Leading The USS Ford To Excellence With Every Goal Undertaken, Thanks For Bringing Us Home Safely. 0 Q W aw if 'Zi ste.,- v 44 I X,-Lg?--1 . X C YVQS-Q PORD gCfQ?f

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CO T OF ARMS SHIELD: Gold and Blue are the colors traditionally associated with the US Navy. The symbols on the shield express the story of the heroic but shortlived naval career of Gunner's Mate Patrick Ford as he gave his life in the service of his fellow man and his country on a riverboat in South Vietnam. The colors yellow and scarlet allude to the flag of South Vietnam. The wavy blue band symbolizes the My Tho River, where the action occurred. The V-shaped symbols identify the ship as having been attached to River Squadron FIVE. The scarlet spearhead issuing from the sinister or left side of the shield is indicative of the attack from ambush by Viet Cong forces, scoring two direct rocket hits and setting the craft afire, suggested by the scarlet color of the central figure. ,WTS 222222233 or M. .6 f 4- ML. by ar if -Y 'ff 13 f 'A ' uni -5 Q ji I t T19 K E . , 5,1L'J 1: 5 rs 5 'J -f N - .- ff . mr' . 0 A - - -1.1 fr 0 - A -V M Q5 ff- b fi' . X o 67 ' 9 O ' R-yeah Q5 TES of P35 XVQT' 913' -'-A-Email-' 155 of CREST: The St01'Y is concluded in the crest with the scarlet lion's head symbolic of the courage Zggnielffacriliice exhibited by Gunners Mate Ford as he continued to fire on the Crew ilatssi Woulgded and Wlth Clothing afire and his attempt to save his wounded water from edlelfirlui mlailiziniem mmf' thefrlllhier before he jumped in' only to perish in the . , gun ire. e crossed naval un ' 'f h' ner rat1ng.J The inverted laurel wreath signif' th ' g S Slgm y IS gun y below center denotes the posthumous awaiil ofetJl?c-??IZx?31?dCi'Jds1she Story' The Cross