ESCAMBIA'S INSIGNIA - JOSE' CARIOCA
Remember the ESCAMBIA's official insignia, which appears on the cover of our "Escambia Scrapbook"? Here's how it came about. In February 1945, Executive Officer Richard Stephens requested a friend working at Walt Disney Studios to suggest a "trade mark" for our ship. He designed this "floating service station" with a pump and hose on a floating barrel of oil, with Jose' Carioca ready to fuel the next ship coming by. Ken Hackett (CMM) reproduced the insignia on each side of the bridge, where it drew admiring chuckles from the crews of ships we refueled. Jose' Carioca was expected to become more famous than Donald Duck, but Jose' didn't achieve star status -- except on the AO-80! Jose' was the star of the animated movie "The Three Caballeros". Virgil Grier has the original painting complete with some water spots from when our Aerographers Mate failed to notify Ken of the approach of a sudden shower.
WE EARNED THEM!
Members of the crew of USS. ESCAMBIA (AO-80) earned the following Campaign Medals and Ribbons:
American Area Campaign Ribbon. Authority G. O. #194 of 4 June 1943
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, with 5 Bronze Stars. Authority G. O. #194 also.
Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Authority ALNav #64-45 of 5 April 1945.
Occupation Japan Ribbon with Asia Clip.
World War II Victory Ribbon.
Good Conduct Ribbon. (Requires 3 years clear service)
Other honors earned:
Plank Owners Certificate. 28 October 1943.
Kamauina (Oldtimer) Card. Malihini (Newcomer) to Hawaii. 15 December 1943.
Realm of the Golden Dragon Card. Crossed International Date Line 7 February 1944.
Domain of Neptunus Rex Card. Crossed Equator 11 March, 1944.
New Picture Page
History of the USS ESCAMBIA (AO-80)
Reunion Information
Official Newsletter "LIFE LINES"
Jose Carioca Insignia
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