Namesake:
U.S. Revolutionary War battle
USS COWPENS (CG 63) is named to commemorate the Revolutionary War
battle fought on January 17, 1781 at the "Cow Pens" South Carolina.
There, Brigadier General Daniel Morgan and his experienced, yet
untrained militia and 300 Colonial Soldiers under Lieutenant Colonel
John Eager Howard met and defeated the stronger, better-trained force
of British Army regulars under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton.
The victory provided the morale-building catalyst needed to motivate
the young American forces in defeating the British at Yorktown nine
months later. Morgan's superior knowledge of his enemy and use of the
"double envelopment" maneuver provided victory in less than an hour of
battle. Portions of the 2000 film The Patriot, starring Mel Gibson, are
loosely based on the real Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina and the
charasmatic leadership on both sides of the battle.
The first ship to be named COWPENS was an Independence-class light
aircraft carrier of World War II. Initially, when her keel was laid in
November 1941, she was to be the light cruiser HUNTINGTON (CL-107). The
country's need for carriers prevailed, however, following the December
entrance of the United States into World War II. A drugstore owner in
Cowpens, SC had written President Roosevelt, suggesting a carrier be
named for the famous nearby Revolutionary War battle. Carriers at the
time were named for famous battles (as cruisers are now), and the ship
was reclassified CVL-25, USS COWPENS. Her crew affectionately called
her the "Mighty Moo". She went on to earn 12 battle stars and a Navy
Unit Commendation for her exemplary service. She was also the first
light aircraft carrier into Tokyo Bay, and from her decks her crew
watched the signing of the Japanese surrender aboard USS Missouri (the
"Mighty Mo") ending World War II.
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Historical Notes:
USS COWPENS deployed in 1996 for a six-month period to the Arabian Gulf
as part of the KITTY HAWK Task Group.
USS COWPENS, took part, along with the USS VALLEY FORGE (CG 50) and USS
JARRETT (FFG 33), in a live standard-missile firing exercise in the
Southern California operating areas in the fall of 1997. The exercise
was a "Proof Of Concept" demonstration to see if the Navy could safely
conduct live surface-to-air missile firings off the coast of San Diego,
and possibly reduce the costs of conducting training.
USS COWPENS deloyed in 1998 for six months to the Western Pacific
Ocean, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.
USS COWPENS underwent a regular overhaul that was completed in December
1999. Southwest Marine, Inc., San Diego, CA, was awarded an $8,719,494
firm-fixed-price with performance fee contract for the overhaul; work
for which was performed in San Diego, CA.
USS COWPENS joined the Forward Deployed Naval Forces of Seventh Fleet,
replacing the USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53), in July 2000.
The ship completed internationally successful diplomatic visits to
Vladivostok, Russia. The COWPENS, after a deployment to the Indian
Ocean, and visiting along the way Guam, Singapore, Thailand and India,
paid a visit to Mumbai, India as the US Navy representative to the 2001
International Fleet Review. She was one of 97 ships representing more
than 30 countries. USS COWPENS played an active role in the relief
effort following January earthquakes in northwestern India, delivering
medical and humanitarian supplies.
COWPENS also participated in several bi-lateral and multilateral
exercises with the navies of Japan and Korea. This included Annual
Exercise 2001 - a bilateral training drill between the Navy and the
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, in November, in which the
Aegis-Guided missile cruiser was the Navy’s centerpiece for
the exercise while the USS KITTY HAWK deployed to the Indian Ocean for
Operation Enduring Freedom. Operationally, COWPENS also supported
highly sensitive escort missions and Operation NOBLE EAGLE. USS COWPENS
also operated in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM conducting
Strait of Malacca escort operations. |
Ship's Crest:
The Shield:
Dark blue and gold are
the colors traditionally associated with the Navy. Red denotes valor
and sacrifice, while white represents high ideals. The three wavy bars
refer to the sea, the USS COWPENS area of operations; and allude to the
three lines of attack used by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan at
Cowpens, South Carolina, in 1781. The previous USS COWPENS (CVL 25)
service in World War II is honored by the circle of twelve battle
stars. The Navy sword symbolizes a heritage of service and the vertical
launch capabilities of CG 63. The wedge, or pile, symbolizes the
spearhead of Morgan's attack and the vertical launch capabilities of
the Aegis Cruiser; the jagged edge denotes the terrain of felled trees
and rough fences making up the battle field at Cowpens.
The Crest: The muskets with
attached bayonets emphasize the victory at Cowpens was won by the close
combat of sustained fire and bayonet attack, and the drum suggests the
Revolutionary War call to arms. The first eagle & stripes flag
and the Maryland Regimental flag were flown at the Battle of Cowpens.
The skyward spikes characterize the combat air support and strike
capabilities of CVL 25 and the Aegis Weapons System of CG 63. CVL 25
earned the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service, represented
by the spike colors of blue, gold, red, & green.
Motto: "Victoria Libertatis Vindex",
Latin for "Victory Vindicates Liberty". The phrase was originally
inscribed on a medal awarded to General Morgan by the French government
for his brilliant tactics and leadership at the Battle of Cowpens.
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PHOTOS
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