Many Army units have animal mascots, crews give bombers fancy racy titles; warships acquire their own appropriate nicknames, and from the cruiser Salt Lake City now comes a ship's coat of arms, divised by the vessel's executive officer. Designed as a distincitive remembrance to be sent by members of the crew to their friends at Christmas, or other times, the coat of arms has been printed in color by a New York firm on a glossy 8 1/2 - by - 11 inch cardboard stock.

In the shape of a shield, the design bears the cruiser's mottos, "Nunquam non parati," or "Never unprepared," and a series of heraldic devices symbolic of the ship's war time history. A sword of defense and wreath of victory are mounted on a stars and stripes design representing loyalty and defense of the United States.

A smaller shield in the design is divided into four segments by a cross of Christianity and Freedom, and the divisions represent the defense of the country on the land, on the sea, and in the sky. A trident and waves represent the sea; the Dipper and the North Star, and the Southern Cross, the skies; and mountains, fields and a tree, the land.