File:USS Michael Murphy COA.png
SHIELD:
- The shape is taken from the shield on the New York shield to indicate Michael Murphy’s home state. Navy blue and gold are the traditional colors of the Navy and the shield is divided by a chevron which symbolizes the ship on a dark blue sea horizoned by a starry sky which here is the light blue chief with seven white stars that recalls the *Medal Of Honor colors with the stars elluding to the ship’s and the SEAL Team operations across the Seven Seas.
- The Maltese Cross stands as recognition of the FDNY Engine Company 43 which was used as inspiration for LT *Murphy’s SEAL Team and tied his motivation to the events of 9-11.
- The flaming sword of Michael the Archangel, for whom he is named and the Spartan shield are reflective of his fateful battle and SEAL ethos.
- The purple detail line on the sword, double saltire and chevron reversed on the Spartan shield is representative of the Purple Heart awarded to the 20 Americans who were part of Operation RED WINGS and all the service men and women who have sacrificed for their country.
- The Medal Of Honor, the nation’s highest declaration for valor, draped as being worn by LT Murphy , is a reminder of his ultimate sacrifice for his Teammates and his being the first Medal Of Honor recipient from the war in Afghanistan and the first Navy recipient since the Vietnam War.
CREST:
The rolled and turned Red, White and Blue Ribbon honors the patriotic service of the SEAL Teams since their formation, surmounted here by the SEAL Trident which LT Murphy was proud to wear.
MOTTO:
A Navy blue scroll bordered and turned gold and forming the initials M and M are a tribute to the ship’s namesake and his mother Maureen Murphy and inscribed “LEAD THE FIGHT” in gold letters.