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PCU John Warner Launches Crest

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS130614-14
6/14/2013

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The crew of the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN 785), which is under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, in Newport News, has completed another major milestone, the design for their crest.

Historically and traditionally a ship's crest combines Navy and submarine history with the vessel's name. PCU John Warner is named in honor of U.S. Senator John Warner who is the second longest serving U.S. Senator in the history of Virginia. Upon completion of his fifth term in January 2009, he elected to retire.

'We wanted a logo that was bold and represented the incredible capabilities that Virginia-class submarines offer to protect our nation's freedoms, and recognizes the long and varied career of public service given by Senator Warner,' said Cmdr. Dan Caldwell, PCU John Warner's commanding officer.

The Senator gratefully replied by stating: 'The sponsor, my wife, and I are deeply humbled and honored to enlist with the crew and be a part of this great submarine's future.'

The submarine's crest includes unique and artistic 'messages' to represent the submarine's critical mission and the Senator's total of 45 years of public service. The crest portrays an eagle, a proud American symbol, which pays tribute to all men and women throughout history who have worn the uniforms of our services. In January 1945, at age 17, Warner enlisted as a seaman in the Navy during World War II. In 1950, he volunteered again for service in the U.S. Marine Corps as a lieutenant during the Korean War period.

The 30 gold feathers in this crest each represents a year that Senator Warner served as a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, including his time as its Chairman and ranking member. The 45 silver feathers symbolize his total years of public service, particularly his presidential appointments as Under Secretary and Secretary of the Navy.

'We take great pride that we are honoring an American who has dedicated so much of his career to supporting the men and women in uniform,' said Caldwell. 'His achievements will provide inspiration for all crews of this submarine, giving them hope and confidence that they can achieve goals they set for themselves.'

As with other new-construction submarines, PCU John Warner received assistance on designing the crest from Jim Sikora, a graphics expert assigned to the Visual Information Service Center at Naval Submarine Support Facility located on Naval Submarine Base New London.

'This logo was truly a team effort. Jim gathered ideas from many, including current PCU crew members, and skillfully created a powerful logo,' said Caldwell.

PCU John Warner is the 12th submarine of the Virginia class and the second of the block III construction contract. The submarine is under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Va., and is being built in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation. Sen. Warner and other members of the Senate Armed Services Committee were instrumental in developing this construction-teaming concept which was supported by the Navy and put into law by Congress.