Posted on Jun 4, 2014
How many Shellbacks, Golden Dragons, Golden Shellbacks, Blue Noses and Plank Owners do we have here?
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It's a Navy/Marine Corps thing. You cross the Equator on a ship you are a Shellback, You cross the Date Line on a ship you are a Golden Dragon. If you cross the Equator at the Date Line you are a Golden Shellback. If you cross the Arctic Circle you are a Blue Nose. If you are the first crew of a ship or unit you are a Plank Owner.
Posted in these groups: 
Tradition
Tradition
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 87
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I'm a Shellback, I was aboard the U.S.S. America (CV-66) on a Med. cruise in 1993-1994.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Now there's a Ship I remember. Peleliu they seemed to travel in a lot of the same groups I did.
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Here's something I've been wondering... I'm a Golden Shellback. So does that, by default, also make me a Golden Dragon as well? The Prerequisites are met after all....
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Great Query Staff, Yes being a Golden Shellback by Default makes you a Regular Shellback and a Regular Golden Dragon also.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Got mine in 96 although that wasn't the first time I crossed. First time around I was busy manning TACINTEL.
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2 WestPacs. 90-91 and 95-96...combat missions were too important to get my shellback...we were late for war. No time to eat olives out of the CPO.
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