Latin Filter: What does "Per Vomer Et Gladius" mean?

December 9, 2008 12:02 PM

Latin Filter: What does "Per Vomer Et Gladius" mean?

In this image what does Per Vomer Et Gladius mean?

Also, if anyone can give me more details on the meaning of the design in the image, I'd love to hear it.

Background: my employer facilitated a volunteer event with the MWSS 471 Marines today, and I was given a medallion with the insignia above at the end of it. I should have asked one of the Marines about it at the time, but I was in a rush to catch the bus.

Thanks!

posted by xotis to writing & language (5 comments total)

By means of plow(share) and sword
posted by fidelity at 12:11 PM on December 9, 2008

For what it's worth, the Latin is incorrect. It should be "per vomerem et gladium."
posted by Electrius at 12:33 PM on December 9, 2008 [1 favorite]

Looks like they have a page.

from their "Mission page":

The Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) is the "work-horse" of Marine Aviation. The organizations mission is to build and maintain the infrastructure for an airfield so that Marine Aviation can conduct it's six functions. Without the MWSS, Marine Aviation would be forced to operate off of aircraft carriers or from friendly countries where host nation support is available. The MWSS provides the Marine Corps the capability of conducting sustained aviation operations in a hostile environment giving the United States the ability to take the fight to the enemy

So,I would guesss that the 'Plow' part has to do with them building the airfields. The 'Sword' part is because they are Marines, and therefore Riflemen First.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 12:37 PM on December 9, 2008

By the way, what you got is most likely not a "medallion" but rather a Challenge Coin. They're kind of a cool tradition in the military, so I thought you might like to know about it.
posted by Inkoate at 12:52 PM on December 9, 2008

oh, I think the design in the background is a runway. I didn't get it until I found out what their mission was.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 2:05 PM on December 9, 2008