the round part without the tab pictures the Mayflower and was the original patch of Carribean Defense Command, which later became US Army South (SOUTHCOM). Here's a paper on CDC.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/v...72&context=etd
Quote:
"\On a 2 1/2 inch ultramarine blue disc, a white galleon with a red Maltese cross on the sail, riding on white wave lines with a 1/8 inch ultramarine blue border. The overall dimension is 2 3/4 inches in diameter.
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--The Institute of Heraldry.
Quote:
Symbolism: The galleon is symbolic of the Caribbean area. This type of ship is usually associated with the Caribbean area since it predominated during the Spanish regime. The blue background represents the color of the Caribbean Sea. The Maltese cross was the insignia of Columbus, the first explorer to land in the Caribbean area.
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--The Institute of Heraldry.
Quote:
Background: The insignia was originally approved for the Caribbean Defense Command on 3 May 44; redesignated for the United States Army, Caribbean on 2 Feb 48; redesignated for the United States Army Forces Southern Command on 11 Jul 63; and reassigned for the United States Army South on 1 Apr 87
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--The Institute of Heraldry.