https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/PDMCreative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0falsefalse
Blazon
SHIELD
Azure, a pale Gules fimbriated Argent between twelve bamboo spear points chevronwise six and six and overall a seahorse Or.
CREST
From a wreath Argent and Azure, a mount Sable superimposed by a stylized sun Or bearing a mullet of the first encircled in base by a vol of the second, all within an arc of seven mullets of the fourth, two, three and two.
MOTTO
A scroll Azure doubled and inscribed “COURAGE COMMITMENT HONOR” ARGENT.
SUPPORTERS
A United States Navy and a Marine Corps Officer’s sword saltirewise points down Proper.
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 BATAAN” at top and “LHD 5” in base all gold.
Symbolism
SHIELD
Dark blue and gold are the traditionally Navy colors and reflect the sea and excellent. Red denotes courage and sacrifice, white is for integrity. The seahorse is the symbol of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. The red pale commemorates the 70 mile Bataan Death March. The spears form a wedge underscoring amphibious assault and deployment of men and cargo ashore as well as combat readiness while highlighting the USS Bataan’s 12 battle stars. Bamboo alludes to the tropics and the Pacific Theater where the first USS Bataan served; during the Death March the sides of the road were lined with angled bamboo spear points.
CREST
The wings represent aviation and the heritage of the ship. The gold stars are for the seven battle stars earned in Korea, while the five points of the central star are for World War II
battle stars. The black mount suggests the mountainous terrain of Korea; the sun is adapted from the Philippine state arms.