Coat of arms for USNS Carson City unveiled

Capt. Bob Wiley, of Carson City, unveiled the coat of arms Thursday night for the USNS Carson City naval vessel.

Wiley did so at the Carson City Chamber of Commerce’s holiday party just days after it was announced the vessel would be christened on Jan. 16, 2016, in Mobile, Alabama.

According to a fact sheet, provided by Wiley, the coat of arms is blazoned in full color upon a white oval enclosed within a dark blue collar, edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the name “USNS Carson City” at top and “T-EPF 7” in base, all in gold.

The shield features the capitol dome in red. Red is “emblematic of sacrifice and valor.” “The shape of the shield is a tribute to a shield containing the Nevada state seal located within the capitol building,” the fact sheet stated.

The crest features an eagle, which “exemplifies freedom, strength, vision and courage as well as alluding to Eagle Valley.”

The supporters are The Army Model 1902 saber and Marine Corps Mameluke sword to “symbolize the joint mission” of Soldiers and Marines abroad Spearhead-class ships.

The motto, “VELOX FUROREM DE MARI” translates to “Swift Fury from the Sea.” The motto is featured in dark blue and gold — colors associated with the Navy.

The ship is called a Joint High Speed Vessel, which Wiley some time ago characterized as “a box that goes 40 knots,” and this is going to be the second naval ship to bear the Carson City name. The first was the USS Carson City, a Tacoma class frigate that saw duty at the end of and after World War II.

The USNS Carson City is designated a JHSV 7 vessel and is likely going to be used for troop transport for transporting health care personnel to larger ships like the huge floating hospitals Wiley has been commanding during his career.