Michigan

Worn from:
17 June 1948 - Current.

The griffin, a symbol of vigilance and readiness, is adapted
from the crest of the Michigan Army National Guard. In 1679,
La Salle, the explorer, built the ship "Griffin" in the calm
waters above Niagara Falls to carry his expedition and supplies
through the Great Lakes and carved a griffin for its figurehead.
He did this in honor of his patron Count Frontenac. The griffin
was a portion of the count's armorial bearins. This was the first
white man's ship to navigate the great waters which enclose and
are enclosed by Michigan.