 Grissom 's crew received approval in June 1966 to design a mission patch with the name Apollo 1 . The design 's center depicts a Command / Service Module flying over the southeastern United States with Florida ( the launch point ) prominent . The Moon is seen in the distance , symbolic of the eventual program goal . A yellow border carries the mission and astronaut names with another border set with stars and stripes , trimmed in gold . The insignia was designed by the crew , with the artwork done by North American Aviation employee Allen Stevens . 
