Crest
The ship's crest and shield were designed to honor the memory of Colonel William "Rich" Higgins, USMC and to signify the power of the warship that bears his name.
- Dark blue and gold are traditional colors of the Navy, symbolizing the sea and excellence.
- The griffin, denoting valor and intelligence, holds an axe that indicates HIGGINS’ readiness and ability to engage in land-based hostilities.
- The griffin and the trident symbolize ’ modern weapon systems HIGGINS possesses, which gives her the versatility of air combat and undersea engagements.
- The shield’s “V” signifies victory and recalls the Combat “V” earned by Colonel Higgins.
- White denotes integrity; gold symbolizes excellence.
- The cloverleaf on the shield stands for good fortune.
- The crest’s anchor represents the Navy.
- Two wreaths symbolize the many military and civilian honors awarded Col. Higgins and signify unusual achievement.
- The Naval Officer’s sword and the Marine Corps Officer’s Mameluke emphasize the long-standing tradition of cooperation between the Navy and Marine Corps in both peacetime and war, and recall Col. Higgins’ outstanding service to his country as a Marine.
Read more about this topic: USS Higgins (DDG-76)
Famous quotes containing the word crest:
“The history of any nation follows an undulatory course. In the trough of the wave we find more or less complete anarchy; but the crest is not more or less complete Utopia, but only, at best, a tolerably humane, partially free and fairly just society that invariably carries within itself the seeds of its own decadence.”
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963)
“What shall he have that killed the deer?
His leather skin and horns to wear.
Then sing him home.
Take thou no scorn to wear the horn,
It was a crest ere thou wast born;
Thy father’s father wore it,
And thy father bore it.
The horn, the horn, the lusty horn
Is not a thing to laugh to scorn.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)