SHIELD
Argent, paly of six Gules a fleur-de-lis Or surmounted by a wreath of laurel Proper; on a chief wavy Azure a stylized American eagle with wings displayed grasping three arrows in its dexter talons and a shield bearing the coat of arms of the United States in its sinister talons between six mullets three and three all of the third.
CREST
From a wreath Argent and Gules a demi-trident of the like winged Azure interlaced with United States Navy and Marine Corps Officer swords saltirewise points down Proper.
MOTTO
A scroll Azure edged and inscribed "I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT" Or.
SEAL
The coat of arms in full color as in the blazon, all upon a white background and enclosed within a dark blue oval border edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS BONHOMME RICHARD" at top and "LHD 6" in base all gold.
SHIELD
Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally used by the United States Navy. The red, white and blue shield reflects our national colors and suggests the coat of arms of the United States. The six red stripes represent the ship's hull number as well as the six coins placed beneath the mast during mast stepping; red being the color of valor and sacrifice. The gold fleur-de-lis highlights the heritage of the first ship BONHOMME RICHARD. The King of France gave an armed ship to the American cause in 1779 that was placed under the command of John Paul Jones. Jones wanted a meaningful name for Americans and French alike, so he selected the pen name of Ben Franklin (then the U.S. Ambassador to France) and named the ship "BONHOMME RICHARD" in his honor. With his ship, John Paul Jones went on to defeat the British warship SERAPIS in one of the most famous sea battles in American history. The wreath of two green laurel branches symbolizes honor and high achievement, commemorating the two previous ships carrying the name BONHOMME RICHARD. The eagle, overlooking the fleur-de-lis and adapted from historic flags and documents of the Revolutionary era, symbolizes the fighting spirit, patriotic fervor and tenacity of both John Paul Jones and the United States Navy. The eagle is flanked by six gold stars representing the battle stars earned by the second BONHOMME RICHARD during World War II and the Korean War, underscoring the heritage and continuing resolve of the fighting Navy. The chief is blue with a wavy edge suggesting a shoreline and reflecting the amphibious mission of the BONHOMME RICHARD.
CREST
The trident is emblematic of sea prowess and power from the sea. It has wings to commemorate the second BONHOMME RICHARD, an aircraft carrier, and the three tines further represent the three areas of that ship's sea battle service: WW II, Korea and Vietnam. The trident is scarlet, a color traditionally used by the U.S. Marine Corps, and highlights action and zeal, thus underscoring the ship's assault and battle insertion mission combining the land, sea and air elements of the fighting force. The trident, synergistically combined with the crossed U.S. Navy and Marine Corps swords, symbolizes combat readiness and teamwork, highlighting the current LHD's potent amphibious and heliborne assault capabilities in the deployment of forces ashore.
MOTTO
John Paul Jones voiced this commitment to his ship and enemy during the epic sea battle of 1779 with H.M.S. SERAPIS. This one statement of devotion to duty reflects the determination and spirit of the crew of LHD 6.