De Wert posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism while serving with the 7th Marines during the Korean War.

[3] On 23 May 2008, De Wert departed her homeport at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, for a counter-drug deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The four rays, for hope, represent the four times De Wert courageously exposed himself to enemy fire to save his wounded shipmates.

The ship's motto "Daring, Dauntless, Defiant" expresses the courageous sacrifice of De Wert, and serves as an inspiration to the men who man the warship named in his honor.

The scarlet cross, edged in gold, represents De Wert's service as a Hospitalman with the U.S. Marine Corps.