Mars (AFS 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE MARS INSIGNIA Although the ship was named for a small community which bears the name of the planet MARS, the ships insignia was inspired by the Roman god, MARS, whose symbols were a flaming torch and a spear. As adapted to the USS MARS insignia, the spear represents battle readiness while the torch — a universal symbol of peace represents service towards peace. The fins are an indication of the jet age — a jet age sign supporting an age old symbol of peace.

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J t ie first near of iteamin together jyadied manij of us, and the departures of some of our shipmates become more fret uent, it is hoped that tliis, the first skip ' s annual, will bring back mang memories of working togetlter as shipmates to become a well run organization. Zjlie name for the annual was arrived at considering that most of the crew are f lanhowners . J-or those who reported aboard after commis- sioning we welcome gou into our ranks as second-degree plankowners . Zjlie word annual was decided upon as it was felt that this should be as much a new concept as the ill- KSl!) itself. 3n as muck aS tlie H ' l r J does not make a cruise as a cruise is linown tlirougliout fleet, an annual Seemed a more appropriate wag of maintaining a pictorial and written historg of the men on fll KSi during her stag in the lAJestern f- acific. 3t is hoped a(i hands enjog the following pages of photographs and articles, as we the annual staff did in compiling them to make the smooth and finisned product gou See here.

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USS MARS iAFS-1