SHIELD
Per fess indented Or and Azure, a pale counterchanged, Argent in base, charged with a lead line weight Proper and in chief a fleur-de-lis of the third, all within a bordure Celeste and thereon eight mullets in orle of the first.
CREST
On a wreath Or and Azure issuing from a fortress wall with three battlements Gules, a compass rose Or charged at center with a shamrock Vert surmounting a guided missile and a colonial musket in saltire Argent, all in front of a roundel Celeste.
MOTTO
On a scroll Azure doubled Or the words "FREEDOM'S FORTRESS" in gold.
SEAL
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color upon a white oval enclosed within a dark blue collar edged on the outside with gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS VINCENNES" at top and "CG 49" in base, all in gold.
SHIELD
The three divisions of the shield represent the three circumnavigations of the earth made by the first vessel to bear the name Vincennes and allude to activities of these expeditions. The indented fess line represents the ice of the Antarctic continent which was discovered and named by Lt. Charles Wilkes of the 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 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 bordure 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. The U.S. Navy is represented on the shield by dark blue and gold, colors usually associated with the Navy.
CREST
The embattled wall recalls Fort Vincennes in Indiana. Its color, red, refers to battle and the three battlements, to the three earlier vessels named Vincennes. The shamrock is a reference to the latest 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's explorations.