DUAL CEREMONIES HELD FOR UNVEILING OF USS DETROIT CREST

Dual unveiling ceremonies were held on Friday, February 22 in San Diego and Detroit to share the official crest of the USS DETROIT (LCS 7) with the public.

BLAZON

 

SHIELD:  Behind a fillet cross Or a quartering; in One, on a field Azure three rows of mullets fess wise Argent five, four and four, in Two, Gules three lions bend wise of the first, in Three, of the third five fleur de lis two and three, Yellow, in the Fourth on a White field six bars bend wise of the fourth, issuant from base a trident with lightning bolts for lateral tines of the first fimbriated Sable overall in base a winged automobile tire of the last rimmed Proper, all within a diminished bordure Black.  

 

CREST:  Issuing from a torse Or and Azure on an arched background with a gradient of Blues dark to light bottom to top, six mullets arched Argent, per pale a modern ships anchor Proper surmounted by a depiction of an underwater mine Sable shaded Gray.

 

MOTTO:  Wrapped around the tails of two mako sharks descending on both sides of the shield Proper, a Black scroll turned Yellow inscribed “SWIFT VIGILANCE” in Yellow letters.

 

SUPPORTERS:  A sword and cutlass in saltire Proper.

SEAL

 

The coat of arms as blazoned in full color upon a white oval enclosed by a dark blue collar edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription “USS DETROIT” at top and “LCS 7” in base in gold.

 

SYMBOLISM

 

SHIELD:  The background quartering is a partial depiction of the flag of the City of Detroit.  The yellow trident displaying lightning bolt tines symbolizes the modern power of today’s Navy.  The winged tire recalls Detroit’s long-time connection to the automotive industry.

 

CREST:  The array of stars signifies that this is the sixth ship named for the City of Detroit.  The contemporary ship’s anchor is a symbol of today’s modern Navy, while the mine demonstrates underwater warfare.

 

MOTTO:  Black is the color for might, and determination; yellow signifies the four virtues of nobleness, goodwill, vigor and magnanimity.  The motto, “SWIFT VIGILANCE,” and the mako sharks serve to demonstrate the speed, preparedness and perseverance required for anti-submarine warfare.  

 

SUPPORTERS:  The sword and cutlass represent surface warfare capabilities and the dedicated crew of USS DETROIT.

 

A complete report on both ceremonies will be posted soon.