In the words of:  Peter M. Hekman, VADM USN Ret, Commissioning Chief Engineer, USS HOEL (DDG-13), Com1962 - July 1963

   All the elements in the crest have heraldic meaning. The Motto, "Prima Inter Optimas" translated to "First Among the Best".  I got this from my High School Latin, and had it verified by the Latin Teachers in the Bay City, MI School System during Pre-Com.  There was argument among them over the words "Best" and "Finest", but they voted for "Best", although either word is a valid translation to English.  They also argued over whether the first word should be "Prima" or "Primo".  I settled this argument by insisting on "Prima", with an "a", as this is the feminine ending, whereas "o" is the masculine, and a ship is referred to in the feminine context.
 
   With respect to the other items, all come from rules of heraldry.  The shape of a shield, and the inverted "V" signify defensive purpose.  The Trident signifies sea power, and the battle ax signifies strength.  The crescent signifies the second of the line (used on family crests), as DDG-13 was the second Destroyer named in honor of the Civil War hero, the first USS HOEL being lost in the famous battle off Leyte in WWII.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Hoel_(DDG-13)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Commanding Officers of the USS Hoel

CDR Allen Wayne Slifer       Jun 16 1962 - Mar 2 1964 
CDR George Paul Pavis        Mar 2 1964 - Oct 29 1965 
CDR Thomas Edward Groves     Oct 29 1965 - Oct 25 1967
CDR Richard Kern Fontaine    Oct 25 1967 - Sep 4 1969 (Later RADM) 
CDR Paul Allen Asmus         Sep 4 1969 - May 1 1971 
CDR Thomas Joseph Bowen       May 1 1971 - Jun 19 1972 
CDR Roger Lee Coffey          Jun 19 1972 - Jan 12 1974 
CDR Robyn M. Campbell Jr.     Jan 12 1974 - Dec 12 1975   (Deceased 07-31-2003)
CDR Milton J. Jackson Jr.    Dec 12 1975 - Jul 1 1977 
CDR John Allison Paine Jr.   Jul 1 1977 - Nov 30 1979 
CDR Anthony Brent Oates      Nov 30 1979 - Oct 6 1981 
CDR Russell Henry Buckley Jr. Oct 6 1981 - Sep 7 1983 
CDR Brian Walter Young       Sep 7 1983 - Dec 23 1985 
CDR Gary L. Bier             Dec 23 1985 - Feb 20 1988 
CDR Clement H. Ward          Feb 20 1988 - Sep 7 1989 
CDR Norman Glenn Berree      Sep 7 1989 - Jul 13 1990 
LCDR James Alan Blasko       Jul 13 1990 - Oct 1 1990
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unit Awards of the USS Hoel
Unit Citations
Award History Source... Awards.Navy.mil
Award Definition Source... http://goo.gl/U8Pd2