Ship's Crest

Shield Elements

SHIELD: Or denticules Azure (Navy Blue), charged with 29 plates, surmounted by an inescutcheon, per fess wavy Argent and of the second, in chief seven piles reversed Gules and in base three wavy bars of the third.

CREST: From a wreath Or and Azure (Navy Blue), upon stylized waves, a representation of the USS CINCINNATI prow, all Proper, below four mullets arched Or, two to dexter and two to sinister.

MOTTO: A tripartite scroll Azure (Navy Blue), doubled and inscribed “STRENGTH IN UNITY”

SUPPORTERS: Behind the shield, a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer’s cutlass and a United States Navy Officer’s sword saltirewise Proper, points downward.

Symbolism

SHIELD: Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the U.S. Navy. Gold is also emblematic of excellence and honor. The blue squares bordering the gold shield denote fortitude and unity. The smaller shield is a representation of the City of Cincinnati, Ohio. The seven red vertical wedges suggest the seven hills on which Cincinnati was founded, associating itself to Rome as another “City of Seven Hills.” The three wavy bars refer to the three bodies of water that run through Cincinnati– the Ohio River, the Great Miami, and Little Miami Rivers. They further allude to the three primary missions of Littoral Combat Ships: to deliver and sustain support of surface warfare, mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare.

CREST: The USS CINCINNATI is a ship with a unique trimaran-shaped hull which is designed to defeat littoral threats and provide access and dominance in coastal waters. The four stars symbolize each of the other ships named CINCINNATI that have served in the United States Navy.

SUPPORTERS: The crossed sword and cutlass symbolize the teamwork and cooperation demonstrated by the naval crew of the USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20).

MOTTO: The phrase “STRENGTH IN UNITY” is the motto.

SEAL: The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white oval within a Dark Blue designation band, edged with a Gold chained border and bearing the name “USS CINCINNATI” at the top and “LCS 20” at the base. The chained border is also a symbol of teamwork and unity of the crew.