Name/Title
USS Texas (CGN 39) Plank Owner [Coin]Description
Bronze coin. Front has the USS Texas with “USS TEXAS / CGN-39 / SEPTEMBER 10, 1977 / PLANK OWNER. Engraved “LTjg RONALD Y HEATH.” On verso is the USS Texas ship’s crest.Context
Front: A "plank owner" is an individual who was a member of the crew (39 officers and 539 sailors) of a ship (USS Texas) when that ship was placed in commission (September 10, 1977).
The recipient, LTjg Ronald Heath, was an Eagle Scout, 9/11 Pentagon survivor, 2001 Olympic Torch Runner, and retired from the U.S. Navy as a Captain.
Verso: The official crest of USS Texas CGN 39 was designed by Martha Bell, a freelance graphic designer from Texas. The colors—red, white, and blue—represent the state flag of Texas. The anchor and the fouled line symbolize the Navy, while the Lone Star signifies the state of Texas. The atoms and orbits within the Lone Star represent the nuclear power characteristics of the ship. The three stars at the bottom represent the past United States ships named "Texas". The motto, "Proud Heritage, Proud Purpose", refers to the history and legacy of those ships, and their purpose: defense of the United States.