[1][5] According to local legend, during World War II, Navy seamen from the University of Richmond Navy V-12 program would frequent the New York Deli and order this then-nameless sandwich.

[6] It is usually served on Italian bread with knackwurst, pastrami or salami and uses Jewish-style mustard and comes with peppers.

The West Coast version often includes sliced tomatoes on the side.

[6] Circa 2014, Capital Ale House in Glen Allen, Virginia, had a Sailor Sandwich on their menu.

The new variation was adopted by the establishment as the "Admiral", though never credited to its inaugural customer.