CG 49 Vincennes "Freedom's Fortress" Ship's Crest
The three divisions of the shield represent the three circumnavigations of the earth made by the first vessel to bear the name Vincennes, and contain allusions to activities of these expeditions. The intended fess line represents the ice of the Antarctic continent which was discovered and named by LT Charles Wilkes of Vincennes in 1840. The Antarctic wastes and icebergs are alluded to by the white area in center base which bears a lead line weight of the early 19th Century period, referring to the new data in charts and cartography gathered by the surveys made during expeditions with Vincennes as flagship. The silver fleur-de-lis in chief refers to the French origin of the name Vincennes and the fort in Indiana after which the ships were named.The eight gold stars on a light blue border represent the Battle Stars awarded to CA-44 and CL-64 during World War II and refer again to the State of Indiana, whose flag bears gold stars on a blue field. Then Navy is represented on the shield by dark blue and gold, colors usually associated with the Navy.The embattled wall recalls the Fort Vincennes in Indiana. Its color, red, refers to battle, and the three battlements to the three earlier vessels named Vincennes. The compass rose represents global navigation and exploration. The clover is a reference to the new ship's distinction as third of its class, and recalls the botanical surveys of the first Vincennes. The guided missile and rifle represent new and old weaponry carried by the latest and the first Vincennes. The blue disc is a reference to the Antarctic skies and the first Vincennes' explorations
