U.S.S. Allen M. Sumner DD-692
Ship's Patch - 1961 to 1973

LCDR Robert Sumner Chaney

This original example was loaned to us by Chuck Bigsby.  The Ship's Patch was designed by LCDR Robert S. Chaney, in 1961 and he relates "I was X.O. at the time and DesRon 16 wanted new emblems to replace 'Woody Woodpecker' and others used in the squadron. The C.O. gave me the job of designing a new one. 'SUI GENERIS' is latin for 'IN A CLASS BY ITSELF' referring to the Sumner Class DD. The sea horse with two stars on a field of blue represents the two destroyers that carried the name Sumner. The two crosses on the red field represent the two Croix de Guerres awarded to Captain Allen M. Sumner in the First World war. He was killed in action and the 2 destroyers were named in his honor."

The patch to the left is in cloth while the image on the right was is a drawing created by famed graphic illustrator John R. Barrett.

Do you have souvenirs of the ship that you would be willing to share?   Please let us know with an E-Mail today!