Description
SHIELD
Azure, in base two chevronels Or, on a pale Gules an unsheathed enlisted sword point down Proper, overall a crested helmet of antiquity of the second garnished Purpure, in dexter chief a mullet Or, a bordure of the last.

CREST
On a wreath Or and Azure the inverted star of the Medal of Honor Proper surmounted by the Marine Corps eagle, globe and anchor insignia Argent intertwining in base the Combat Action Ribbon Proper.

SEAL
The device as described above with a dark blue motto scroll doubled gold intertwining the handles of the supporting swords and inscribed “Semper Fidelis Semper Fortis” translates to “Always Faithful, Always Strong” in gold, all upon a white rectangular field radiused top and bottom and enclosed within a dark blue collar edged on the outside with gold rope and inscribed at top “USS JASON DUNHAM” and in base “DDG 109” in gold letters.

Symbolism
SHIELD
The colors Dark Blue and gold represent the United States Navy.The two chevronels in base recall Corporal Dunham’s rank.The scarlet pale represents the Marine Corps and refers to the trouser stripe worn by Non Commissioned Officers.The Marine Corps Non Commissioned Officers sword on the stripe is point down, signifying Dunham’s sacrifice of his life to protect his troops.The helmet of antiquity recalls the service traditions of brotherhood which hold true today and recalls the incident of enemy attack on Dunham’s squad during which he used his helmet to contain a grenade and covered it with his body to protect his squad at the cost of his own life.The purple detail on the helmet refers to the Purple Heart Medal awarded Dunham.The distinctive shield shape is that used on the state arms of New York, Corporal Dunham’s home state.The gold mullet in dexter chief signifies the loss of Corporal Dunham to his service and his family.The gold border denotes the unity and cohesion of Marine Corps service members which characterize the force and clearly influenced Dunham’s action in defense of his troops.

SHIELD
The colors Dark Blue and gold represent the United States Navy.The two chevronels in base recall Corporal Dunham’s rank.The scarlet pale represents the Marine Corps and refers to the trouser stripe worn by Non Commissioned Officers.The Marine Corps Non Commissioned Officers sword on the stripe is point down, signifying Dunham’s sacrifice of his life to protect his troops. The helmet of antiquity recalls the service traditions of brotherhood which hold true today and recalls the incident of enemy attack on Dunham’s squad during which he used his helmet to contain a grenade and covered it with his body to protect his squad at the cost of his own life.The purple detail on the helmet refers to the Purple Heart Medal awarded Dunham.The distinctive shield shape is that used on the state arms of New York, Corporal Dunham’s home state.The gold mullet in dexter chief signifies the loss of Corporal Dunham to his service and his family.The gold border denotes the unity and cohesion of Marine Corps service members which characterize the force and clearly influenced Dunham’s action in defense of his troops.

CREST
The decorations awarded Corporal Dunham are represented along with the eagle, globe and anchor insignia of the United States Marine Corps; the inverted mullet symbolizes the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest decoration for valor awarded to Corporal Dunham for his sacrifice in protecting his squad, and the Combat Action Ribbon, awarded to him along with the Purple Heart Medal, which is referenced on the antique helmet appearing on the shield.

MOTTO
“SEMPER FIDELIS SEMPER FORTIS”

SUPPORTERS
To dexter side an Navy officer’s sword, to sinister an enlisted sailor’s cutlass, saltirewise points up Proper, representing the full complement of the ship’s crew.

Source
The Institute of Hearaldry