Pearl Harbor & American Cockades

World War II had a dramatic effect on the cockades of the world.

▪ It was the last time Americans would widely wear ribbon patriotic cockades.

▪ It was the first time Americans would widely wear metal patriotic "cockades."

▪ Modern American airplane roundels were created - based on cockades!

An Infamous Date
75 years ago, on December 8, 1941, President Roosevelt addressed Congress and the nation with one of the most remembered of all American speeches.

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

And thus our nation entered one of the greatest conflicts the world has known.

Patriotism in America was already high. Most sympathies were with the European Allied nations fighting the power of Germany's Hitler, Japan's Hirohito, and Italy's Mussolini. So the people of United States willingly settled in for the long fight to preserve freedom in the world.

Fabric to Metal
One example of people's patriotic fervor was the "victory ribbons" they wore to public events. But as time went on, many items became rationed in order to help the war effort. This included textiles, which were devoted mainly to the army's use.

So people began what would become a permanent switch - from ribbon cockades to plastic and metal pins. You can see this example of a celluloid "victory pin" in my collection. It's shaped like a cockade, but made out of early plastic.

French cockades, by the way, underwent the same transformation. This is a picture of a World War II metal cockade with the French slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," written on its pendants.

Cockades In the Air
But the most dramatic new use for cockades was in the air. National emblems, usually based on cockades, were painted on airplane wings and tails as a mark of identification. These were called "roundels."

Actually, the first use of roundels was in World War I. But it was during the second world war that a version of the modern United States roundel was introduced.

Throughout the war, it went through many changes. The early design featured a blue circle, white star and red circle in the middle. Unfortunately, this was rather close to the Japanese roundel of a red circle on a white circle. So the American roundel was changed - quite a few times! Eventually the US government chose the modern design of a white star on a blue ground flanked by white bars. (See the complete history of how it changed and why here.)

Whether the national colors were worn as ribbon cockades, metal or plastic pins, or roundels on airplanes, the people of the United States were proud of their country and willing to fight for freedom. President Roosevelt said it well:

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

The Cockade of John Paul Jones

If there was one thing the fiery John Paul Jones was good at, it was getting into - and out of - trouble.

He was apprenticed to the sea trade at age 13, a normal starting age for that career. (Young apprentices were expected to continue their schooling on board the ship.) But what wasn't normal was the fact that by age 21 he was captain of the ship. When the original captain and the mate of his ship died of yellow fever, John took charge and brought the ship safely back to port. In reward, the ship's owners confirmed him as captain and gave him part ownership.

His career seemed made for life - until he tangled with an errant crew member who just happened to be from an influential family. The crew member was flogged, a normal punishment for shipboard misdemeanors, but later died... and John had his first clash with trouble.

Conflict would dog him for the rest of his life, but his indomitable spirit would carry him through and into a honored place in history.

From Scottish Merchant to American Naval Captain
After more voyages and more troubles, John felt the need to flee to America, ostensibly to managed the estate of his deceased brother in Virginia. And that was the turning point in his life that pulled him out of obscurity.

Shortly after coming to America, John Paul added "Jones" to his name (possibly because of his legal troubles back in Britain), and threw in his lot with the embattled American colonies. Joining the brand-new American navy as a First Lieutenant of the USS Alfred in 1775, John Paul Jones raised the first American flag over a naval ship. (If you don't recognize it, it's called the Grand Union Flag and was the precursor to our modern Stars and Stripes.)

John rose as rapidly in the American navy as he had in Scottish merchant shipping. But the passionate Scotsman could not seem to stay out of trouble, this time picking a feud with Commodore Hopkins. This led to some "stagnation" time in port. But his abilities were too good to dismiss and he made some powerful friends. His rise in the American navy eventually continued.

In fact, Jones caused great consternation to the British by his attacks on both land and sea on the British coast. His successes were definitely a moral boost for the fledgling United States. But it was Jones' mission in 1779 on the USS Bonhomme Richard which was to lead to his lasting fame.

"I intend to go in harm's way"
Now leading a whole squadron of ships, Jones once again headed across the Atlantic and once again had feuds with his men. In spite of this, the little squadron spread fear and dismay through British shipping. This culminated in a meeting of the American squadron and a British merchant fleet in the North Sea. The two British naval ships guarding the convoy closed in to fight, and thus began the Battle of Flamorough Head.

While the squadron engaged one ship, Jones engaged the other, the HMS Serapis. In spite of the bigger guns of the enemy, Jones refused to give up and won the battle against the odds. The enthusiastic, tenacious Scottish American uttered one of the most memorable lines of the war when called upon to surrender:

"I have just begun to fight!"

Jones' Naval Cockade
As an American naval hero, John Paul Jones is often called the Father of the American Navy. However, he shares that title with another gentleman,Commodore John Barry. And it's in a famous letter to Barry that we see Jones' plan for American naval cockades.

Portsmouth, Sept. 7, 1781

The Hon'ble John Barry, Capt.:

Enclosed, dear Barry I have the honor to send you the Cocade I promised, as I forgot to deliver it when I breakfasted with you at Boston. - The Blue in it may, with propriety be adopted as the national Cocade of America, leaving the Black to England which is a true emblem of the character of that Dark minded nation. The white is intended to represent the spotless purity of intention and the sincere Friendship of our illustrious Ally towards these Sovereign independent States - as the Red may represent the glowing Friendship of Spain. - I wish to see this Cocade worn by the Officers of the Navy - at least till a better can be devised - It is known in France as our Cocade of Tripple Alliance, and I have on particular desire presented many of them to the first characters in Europe.

Thus, the first red, white and blue tricolor cockades were actually designed by John Paul Jones!

Final Rest of the Hero
Once American independence was achieved, Jones' later life was enlivened by serving in the Russian navy. However, this came to an end when he began another feud, this time with the Russian government.

Jones was eventually appointed American consul in Algiers but died of kidney failure at the age of 45 before he could take the job.

Buried in a little-known grave in France, his body lay almost forgotten for a century. But in 1905 it was rediscovered and brought back to America,escorted with honor by the US Navy. His body now rests at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, MD.

Complete Guide to Union Cockades

By the time of the Civil War, Union cockades were nearly always red, white and blue. If you want all the back story on why, I wrote a blog post about it here. There were many designs including simple round rosettes, rosettes with tails, rosettes with tassels, or bows.

As you can see, center emblems could be military buttons, spangled stars, tassels, pictures of famous people...or nothing at all!

The materials used were usually silk ribbon sewn onto a buckram backing, but some were created from cotton or wool as well.

Union cockades were worn by men, women and children. They were often pinned to the breast or lapel, but could also be worn on hats and bonnets. For a more in-depth look at how men wore cockades, see here. For a detailed look at how women wore cockades, see here. For more info on children wearing cockades, click here.

If you'd like to purchase a Union cockade for yourself, check out the ready-to-ship ones in my shop or contact me for a custom order! My email is creativecockades@gmail.com.

 

 You might also enjoy these posts:

The Complete Guide to Confederate Cockades
The Complete Guide to Mourning Cockades