About the Ship's Coat of Arms

The Shield:

• The shield's dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the United States Navy. Red is emblematic of sacrifice and valor.
• The blue and gray of the shield recall the two sides involved in the Civil War.
• The four sections underscore July 4, 1863, the date of the confederate surrender at Vicksburg, MS.
• The Naval sword and musket, crossed to express strength, signify the teamwork and the joint operations of the land and sea forces at Vicksburg when the Union Navy transported General Ulysses S. Grant’s Army inland under fire.
• The annulet symbolizes General Grant’s siege of the city by closing the ring on the Confederate forces to win the battle.
• The vertical missile symbolizes the firepower of the current cruiser, USS VICKSBURG.
• The border simulates the armor plates of the Civil War gunboats and the part they played in the battle.
• The seventeen black cannon balls pay tribute to the Union’s 17th Army Corps Commander who was victorious at Vicksburg, and was appointed Commander of the Vicksburg District on July 4, 1863.

The Crest:

• In the crest, the American eagle in flight symbolizes the reunification of the states involved in the Civil War.
• The eagle carries a streamer containing the two battle stars of the previous cruiser, USS VICKSBURG (CL 86), received for service in World War II.
• The key held in the eagle’s right talon represents President Abraham Lincoln’s statement that "...Vicksburg is the key...the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket."
• The trident in the eagle’s left talon is symbolic of a sea power with its three tines representing the anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the present guided missile cruiser, USS Vicksburg (CG 69). The trident also honors the previous ships named "VICKSBURG".
• The embattled wall above the wavy lines recalls the high fortresses of the city of Vicksburg along the east bank of the Mississippi River, and also represents defense, strength, and the combat capabilities of CG 69.

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Mailing Address
(Sailor's Name)
DEPT/DIVISION
USS VICKSBURG (CG69)
FPO AA 34093-1189