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NH 102483-KN Insignia: USS WILLIAM M. WOOD (DD-715) Emblem adopted in 1965.

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Title: Insignia: USS WILLIAM M. WOOD (DD-715) Emblem adopted in 1965.

Caption: Insignia: USS WILLIAM M. WOOD (DD-715) Emblem adopted in 1965.

Description: The design of both shield and crest stem from Dr. William M. Wood, after whom the ship is named and the ship's assistant. Shield: The green field alludes to water, the color green also being symbolic of medicine. The wavy chevron simulates the wake of a ship underway. The scallop shells, emblematic of pilgrims, refer to the world wide and varied missions of the ship, the light blue couped cress (suggested by the Greek flag) alluding to the earthquake mission to Greece in 1955 and other Mediterranean service, and the red coptic cross (which appeared on the sails of the ships of Columbus) to service in the Caribbean during the Dominican and Cuban crises. The dragon's head refers to patrol duty in Chinese and Korean waters. Crest: The oak tree with acorns issuing from a mound appears in the armorial achievement of many branches of the Wood family and thus alludes to the name of the ship. As oak leaves and acorns are devices used by the Medical Department, U.S. Navy, the oak tree and acorns particularly refer to Dr. William Maxwell Wood for whom the ship is named. The anchor is symbolic of the Navy and the entwining of the anchor cable with the tree trunk alludes to Dr. Wood having been the first Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy, the five acorns alluding to his subsequently becoming the fifth Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.color

Catalog #: NH 102483-KN

Original Creator:

After this Year: 1960

Before this Year: 1969

Original Medium: Color Photo

Naval History and Heritage Command

NH 102483-KN Insignia: USS WILLIAM M. WOOD (DD-715) Emblem adopted in 1965.