Some Back Ground on 
Diodon's Ship Patch

Since 10-01-01

Return to Stories of Submariners & Their Boats

Jim:

      Also, you might enjoy this bit of history about the ship's patch.  

Capt. Conwell decided to hold a contest for same while in Yokosuka in '54.  I WON!  The original drawing included the life ring for the boat's air rescue ops.  The Diodon is known as the Porcupine fish, hence the body points.  The torpedo speaks for itself.  The bubbles rising from its mouth originally had small protrusions and were meant to represent her mine laying capability.  

She also had a blue nose for her Arctic tour.   Unfortunately, the  original Japanese embroiderer did not catch the fine points or blue nose. I still have one of the original patches and am proud to see the design stood the test of time!