SHIELD
Per fess wavy enhanced Or and Azure two flaunches counterchanged, in base a bald eagle's head erased holding in its beak a U.S. Navy commissioning pennant all Proper; in chief four torteaux in fess.
CREST
Radiating from a wreath of the colors (Or and Azure) four demi-lightning flashes Gules superimposed by a trident head Or, overall a mullet Azure.
SUPPORTERS
Crossed diagonally behind the shield a Navy officer's sword and chief petty officer's cutlass, points down Proper.
MOTTO
A bipartite scroll Azure doubled, garnished and inscribed "MOVE SWIFTLY STRIKE VIGOROUSLY" in gold letters.
SEAL
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color upon a white oval enclosed by a blue collar edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS VELLA GULF" above and "CG 72" below in gold letters.
SHIELD
Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the U.S. Navy. The Battle of Vella Gulf occurred in a body of water known as the "slot" in the Solomon Islands which is represented by the flaunches on either side of the shield. The wavy division at top refers to the sea. The six Navy destroyers involved in the battle are recalled by the six sections comprising the shield, while the four Japanese destroyers, the "Tokyo Express," that were defeated, are suggested by the red discs. Dark blue alludes to the darkness of the nighttime battle. Counterchanging the colors of the shield underscores unity of U.S. Naval components while the bald eagle characterizes the U.S. victory and naval strength, past and present. The commissioning pennant recalls the previous ship of the same name, USS VELLA GULF (CVE 111).
CREST
The trident symbolizes sea prowess and the modern weapons of CG 72, the vertical launch and the Aegis systems (anti-submarine, surface and air warfare). The lightning flashes represent quick strike capabilities and allude to the advantage of radar which was instrumental to the U.S. Navy victory in the Battle of Vella Gulf. Red traditionally symbolizes courage and firepower. The star commemorates the battle star awarded to the previous VELLA GULF for her service in World War II.
MOTTO
The motto is adapted from a favorite military maxim of General Stonewall Jackson's which reads: "To move swiftly, strike vigorously and secure all the fruits of victory is the secret to successful warfare."
SUPPORTERS
The crossed swords embody the synergism of the officer-enlisted team.