Maryland, known as the "Old Line State" to honor the troops of the Maryland line who fought courageously during the Revolutionary War, was one of the original thirteen colonies.
The state has played an important role since the early days of the U.S. Navy. The
Constellation, one of the
original six frigates, was built at the Sterrett Shipyard, Baltimore, Md. At least 40 ships have been named after the state of Maryland, its cities, places and people. Four ships bear the state's name, including the
USS Maryland (SSBN 738), an
Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine. The submarine's crest features the arms of the state of Maryland, which are historically derived from the quartered arms of the Calvert and Crossland families and displays the submarine's motto
Timete Deum Solum et Ignominiam, or "Fear Only God and Dishonor."
Legendary naval officer
Stephen Decatur of Sinepuxent, Md.,became the most lauded American naval hero since John Paul Jones for his actions during the
Tripolitan War, and Lt. Milton Ernest Ricketts of Baltimore was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the
Battle of Coral Sea. Maryland is home to seven Navy installations. The state can also boast the hometown of heroes and leaders like
Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks of Edgewater who was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V and Purple Heart after the helicopter he was in was shot down by enemy fire. Possibly the most well known Navy tie is the scenic
United States Naval Academy campus. Known as the Yard, USNA is located in historic Annapolis, where the Severn River flows into the Chesapeake Bay. With its combination of early 20th-century and modern buildings, the Naval Academy is a blend of tradition and state-of-the-art technology that exemplifies today's Navy and Marine Corps. Visitors often hear Midshipmen chant "Go Navy, Beat Army!"
Share the following infographic and spread Maryland's naval history!
For more infographics like this one, visit the
multimedia section of
our website.