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Hey dakka, I'm daydreaming about a paint scheme for a homebrew SM chapter, and I was wondering a few things about the decals sheet that comes in the box (http://bitzbarn.com/oscommerce/catalog/images/SMDecals.jpg).
Specifically:

1. The gothic numerals (i.e. 2 or 3 with a line vertically through it). Do these indicate membership in a company? Or a squad's position within a company? Or a marine's position in a squad? Does it matter if it goes on the shoulderplate vs the knee?
2. Is there any difference between the gothic numerals and the roman numerals?
3. Does the winged sword carry any particular significance?
4. Does the white skull carry any particular significance (i.e. veterans/terminators only)?

Thanks in advance for the knowledge.

Ok, numerals, be they arabic or roman numbers, represent squad numbers;
Companies are represented by colour trims or patterns.
Numbers generally go on the shoulder (right one),but there are variants, so you can put it on the kneepad; you may also put it not in thecentre ofthe pauldron - again, your call.
According to the Insignium Astartes, the white skull icon on the shoulder is the symbol of the commandmembers (captains, coomand squads)
Skulls in badges (relief) are different and represent honours (as in Crux Terminatus) or campaigns fought. Exception: the Imperialis, which is the winged skull, representing generic loyalist marine chapters and, formerly, legions.
The winged sword as in the icon is the icon of Dark Angels chapter.... But they have a white winged sword on green field, but another chapter may have, idk, a golden winged sword on a turquoise shoulder... or a crimson winged sword on a teal pauldron (or vice versa)

I hope this was somehow useful..

It also depends on how much your chapter adheres to the Codex Astartes guidelines on iconography. A devoted chapter like the Ultramarines or Imperial Fists would precisely follow its guide to company colours and squad markings. Conversely, chapters like the Space Wolves that ignore the Codex make up their own markings on a case-by-case basis.

Companies within a chapter could have their own traditions for how they mark their armour.