Shield. Per fess Gules and Azure, a fess wavy Argent, in base a cross pattée Or centered thereon by a bezant bearing a stylized representation of a sailing vessel at sea, in chief a stylized representation of the United States Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem, all Or, all within a bordure of the last bearing an orle of Celtic knots garnished on the upper and lower points by a trefoil all Vert.

Crest.  From a wreath of the colors Argent and Gules, a demi-ribbon dovetails to chief, striped Vert, Argent, and Tenné, superimposed by two caltrops palewise Sable, between in dexter a seahorse rampant, facing sinister, his sinister hoof upon the head of an anchor and his dexter hoof upon the stock, and in sinister a lion rampant, all Or.

Supporters.  On either side of the shield, a pair of ancient Roman Gladius swords, tips down, Proper.

Motto.  A triparted scroll Azure inscribed “BE BRAVE AND BE BOLD” Or.

Shield.  The overall design and colors of the shield recalls the crest of the County Mayo, Ireland, the childhood home and final resting place of Patrick Gallagher.  The wavy division of the field commemorates Gallagher crossing the Atlantic to the United States at age eighteen in 1962.  Patrick Gallagher enlisted in the Marine Corps on 5 November 1965 and served with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in South Vietnam, commemorated by the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem in chief.   On the early morning of 18 July 1966 Lance Corporal Gallagher volunteered within a machine-gun team near Cam Lo and an enemy soldier threw a grenade in his defensive position.  With keen awareness he kicked the grenade away from the foxhole he was sharing with three other Marines.  When a second grenade landed close by Gallagher threw himself upon it to absorb the explosion, a valiant act of self-sacrifice.  Once his fellow Marines where safely away, Gallagher’s squad leader ordered him to throw the grenade into a nearby river where it exploded on contact.  Through Patrick Gallagher’s extraordinary heroism and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, he was awarded the Navy Cross, stylistically represented on the shield.  Lance Corporal Gallagher continued his service in Vietnam and was just a few short weeks away from returning home when he was killed on patrol on 30 March 1967.  The three trefoils on the border are for Patrick Gallagher’s sisters who are serving as ship’s sponsors for the USS PATRICK GALLAGHER (DDG 127).

Crest.  The dove-tailed ribbon suggests a commissioning pennant and naval traditions. The colors of the ribbon are from the flag of Ireland, commemorating the Irish Americans who served in the Vietnam war. The seahorse is adapted from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines insignia, highlighting Lance Corporal Gallagher’s service record.  The anchor connotes naval traditions and highlights the USS PATRICK GALLAGHER (DDG 127) as the last Flight IIA configuration of the Arleigh Burke destroyer-class.  The rampant lion embodies the courageous spirit of Gallagher, the first enlisted Irishman to lose his life in Vietnam.  The caltrops are from the 3rd Marine Division insignia, further highlighting Gallagher’s service record.

 Supporters.  Ancient Roman Gladius swords, once wielded by brave expeditionary foot soldiers, emphasize the fighting spirit of Lance Corporal Patrick Gallagher and the crew of the USS PATRICK GALLAGHER (DDG 127).

Motto.  The ship’s motto, “BE BRAVE AND BE BOLD,” is from Lance Corporal Gallagher’s favorite quote, “life is for the living, be brave and be bold,” and is an acknowledgement of the courageous spirit Gallagher displayed throughout his service as a United States Marine.

Seal.  The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white oval within a dark blue designation band, edged with a gold roped border and bearing the name “USS PATRICK GALLAGHER” at the top and “DDG 127” at the base in gold.