Domain of the Flying Dragon

Name/Title

Domain of the Flying Dragon

Description

A certificate of membership in the Domain of the Flying Dragon issued to Machinists Mate 2/c Roger Baker for crossing the both the Equator and the International Date Line (180th meridian) aboard the USS Laffey (DD-724) as part of Task Force 38 on May 7, 1947.

Use

The Navy has several ceremonies for various instances of "crossing of the line". These ceremonies are often akin to hazing or a rite of passage where uninitiated sailors undergo the tradition of joining the ranks of the veteran sailors.

Context

Roger Baker was a Machinist Mate aboard the USS Laffey from 1946-1947. Baker participated in the Atomic Bomb tests at Operation Crossroads and a Pacific cruise to Australia.

Collection

USS LAFFEY DD724, Roger Baker Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2001.00032

Source or Donor

Roger Emmett Baker

Acquisition Method

Gift

Update Date

April 11, 2025