USCGC Rollin Fritch (WPC 1119)
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Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

SHIELD

Per pale Celeste and Sable, an anchor enfiled through a crown Gris, the rim charged with six mullets counterchanged of the field all within a bordure compony of thirty pieces Argent and Tenn.


CREST

On a wreath of the colors Argent and Celeste, in front of a mullet charged at the center with a smaller faceted mullet Gris, on the dexter side, a representation of the Cape May Point Lighthouse and to sinister, the Cape May Water Tower, all Proper, at base an escutcheon blazoned, Or, three piles converging in point Gules.


MOTTO

On a tri-folded scroll Argent, lined Gules, the inscription UNTIL PROPERLY RELIEVED in Azure letters.

Symbolism

SHIELD

The anchor symbolizes the determination and selfless heroic actions Seaman First Class Rollin Fritch displayed while serving as a member of a gun crew aboard the transport ship USS CALLAWAY off the coast of Luzon during World War II. As the ship came under heavy attack by Japanese kamikaze planes, Fritch remained anchored to his battle station and continued to direct fire with unrelenting fury upon the enemy until carried away by the terrific impact of the plunging aircraft. The crown is embellished with six stars, representing the six battle stars awarded to the USS CALLAWAY during WWII. The border repeats the colors of the Cape May Water Tower and has 30 segments, one for each of the 30 shipmates of Rollin Fritch that were also killed as a result of the kamikaze attack on the CALLAWAY on January 8, 1945.  The motto on the scroll reflects the significance of Fritchs actions in standing by his post and continuing to fight until he was killed. The scroll echoes the colors of the Cape May Point Lighthouse.


CREST

The wreath adopts the first named metal and color from the shield and blazon. The Cape May Point Lighthouse and Water Tower symbolize the significance of Cape May, NJ as the location of the Coast Guard Training Center where all enlisted personnel receive basic training. Additionally, Cape May is the home port of USCGC ROLLIN FRITCH. The star in the crest represents the Silver Star awarded posthumously to Fritch for his valor in the Pacific. The small shield symbolizes defense of the CALLAWAY, the three piles depicting the concentrated attack of the Japanese kamikaze pilots.


SEAL

The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white round disc within a dark blue designation band, edged with a gold roped border and bearing the name USCGC ROLLIN FRITCH at the top and WPC 1119 at the base.





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