On 13 June 1923, CPT (later Fleet Admiral) Ernest J. King, at the time Commander, Submarine Division Three, proposed to the Secretary of the Navy that a distinguishing device for qualified U.S. submariners be adopted.
That initiative led to today’s Submarine Warfare Insignia–best known as “dolphins” or “fish.”
All photos via NATO Submarine Command (COMSUBNATO)
Of course, most other fleets that field submarines also have similar badges, though not always accompanied by marine life.
Here are the NATO ones:
Royal Canadian Navy
French Navy
Deutsche Marine (German Navy)
Hellenic (Greek) Navy
Italian Navy
Netherlands
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese
Turkish Navy
Royal Spanish Navy
Royal Navy
The more you know…