Delaware National
Guard
The Order
of the GriffinBy Maj. Jane Zak, 198th Signal Battalion
The Delaware Army National Guard crest appears above the shield in the coat arms of each color-bearing organization with lettered companies in the Delaware Army Guard. Alone it appears on the shoulder sleeve insignia, and is worn as distinctive insignia by non-color bearing units and headquarters not authorized a full coat of arms. In the shorthand language of heraldry it is described thus: ‘On a wreath of colors of griffin’s head erased azure, armed or, langued gules, collared sable fimbriated argent and theron three plates.’
In more familiar language, the crest consists of a wreath or twist of fabric in principal colors of the organizational shield, or when used alone, of white and red, the English colors, showing the Guard’s origin as an English Colonial Militia. Upon the wreath is a blue griffin’s head, torn at the neck. Its horns and beak are gold, its tongue red. The collar is black, edged in silver or white, and upon the collar are three silver and white discs.
The griffin is the principal device on the shield of the Lords de la Warr, one of Who was a governor of Virginia and for whom Delaware was named. The collar is from the shield of the Penn family, who were colonial governors for both Pennsylvania and Delaware. Their shield shows a black bar, or horizontal band, edged in silver with three discs on it.
In addition to its association with the states named, the griffin is a
particularly appropriate symbol for the State’s soldiers because in
heraldic tradition the griffin symbolizes soldierly valor and a
willingness to dare all dangers, even death, rather than give up short of
a goal. The griffin is a mythical beast that has the body of a lion, the
head and wings of an eagle, and horns upon its head. It occurs frequently
in coats of arms commemorating bravery in battle.
The NCO Creed