SHIELD
Azure, an officer's sword and a seax points down saltirewise Proper enfiled by a celestial crown Gules garnished Or.
CREST
From a wreath Or and azure a ship's mast with the sails furled and a burgee command pennant flying Proper.
MOTTO
A scroll Argent edged and doubled Azure inscribed "IN PURSUIT OF PEACE" Gules.
SUPPORTERS
A sprig of oak and olive saltirewise, entwining the scroll.
SEAL
The coat of arms as blazoned upon a white field enclosed by a dark blue oval border edged on the outside with gold rope and inscribed "USS DECATUR" above and DDG 73" below in gold letters.
SHIELD
Dark blue represents the Navy and the oceans, its realm. The seax recalls a series of victories by Stephen Decatur over sea forces of North African terrorist nations including his daring destruction of the captured frigate, Philadelphia. The English Officer's sword symbolizes Decatur's brilliant victory over HMS Macedonian during the War of 1812 in one of the greatest single-ship actions of naval history. The celestial crown represents anti-air warfare capabilities and bears five mullets, one for each of the ships named Decatur up to and including the newest ship. It also recalls Stephen Decatur's engagements against the British during the War of 1812. Scarlet denotes courage; gold symbolizes excellence.
CREST
The heritage of the name Decatur is recalled by the ship's mast and sail, recalling the Navy of Stephan Decatur's time and the first vessel to bear his name, a sloop-of-war built in 1838. The mast also refers to the traditional pine construction of the vessels of Decatur's navy. The pennant symbolizes the senior naval authority earned by t he ship's namesake, Commodore Stephen Decatur.
SUPPORTERS
The sprigs of oak and olive intertwining the scroll signify respectively the new ship's mastery of modern naval warfare and the peace Stephen Decatur fought so hard to achieve.