Shield.
The colors of the shield honor Robert E. Simanek, Korean War veteran and Medal of Honor
recipient. Red and gold are the colors of the United States Marine Corps, Simanek’s chosen branch of service when he was drafted in 1951. Olive green and gold seahorses commemorate his assignment with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division as a rifleman. The two seahorses also highlight the expeditionary mission of the USS ROBERT E. SIMANEK (ESB 7), outfitted with four landing spots for USMC CH-53 Sea Stallions on its flight deck. Simanek, a native of Detroit, was employed by the automotive industries and returned to the city after the Korean War to earn his degree. Detroit is symbolized by the two flanks of the shield conjoined with a wavy bend alluding to the Detroit River which connects Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. The wavy bend is also expressive of the flexible, modular platform of the USS ROBERT E. SIMANEK (ESB 7)which can perform large-scale logistics movements at sea. The five stars together on the wavy bend mark the ESB 7 as the fifth vessel in the Lewis B. Puller class. The center star is reversed and colored gold and blue to represent the Medal of Honor, awarded to Private First Class Robert Simanek for his gallantry, bold determination, and devotion to his country and fellow Marines. While accompanying a patrol to a combat outpost forward of friendly lines on 17 August 1952 PFC Simanek saved his comrades from two hostile grenades, one he kicked away and the other he smothered with his body. Gravely wounded, Simanek continued to fight, radioing in for a nearby tank to take out a bunker of Chinese soldiers who were pinning down the Marines with lethal fire. Determined to save his comrades, Simanek told his fellow wounded Marines to leave him there near the embattled strip of land called Outpost Irene. He crawled on his hands and knees until a rescue squad was able to find and assist him.
Crest.
The fox stands for the Fox Company that PFC Simanek was assigned to during the Korean War. The fox is a cunning, adaptable creature, expressive of Simanek’s quick thinking to distract the enemy by popping his head out of the trench and firing his weapon and then moving so that the enemy would fire on the wrong position. The fox appears to be pouncing on prey within the crevice of a rocky hilltop, highlighting Simanek’s actions to take out an enemy bunker and save his comrades. The fox also conveys Simanek’s love of nature and points to a time of post-war peace, enjoying life in Farmington Hills, Michigan with his wife of 64 years, Nancy, and his daughter, Ann.
Supporters.
The Navy officer’s sword and the Navy enlisted cutlass denote the teamwork and cooperation demonstrated by the crew of the USS ROBERT E. SIMANEK (ESB-7).
Motto.
The ship’s motto, “RISING TOGETHER,” is symbolic of Robert E. Simanek’s determination to save the lives of his fellow Marines. The motto emphasizes the dedication of the USS ROBERT E. SIMANEK (ESB 7) crew to complete their mission with excellence.
Seal.
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white oval within a red designation band, edged with a gold chain border and bearing the name “USS ROBERT E. SIMANEK” at the top and “ESB 7” at the base in gold. The gold chain has thirty-six flat links to denote PFC Simanek as the thirty-sixth Marine to be awarded the Medal of