DDG 102 | USS SAMPSON

Namesake:

William Thomas Sampson, born on 9 February 1840 in Palmyra, N.Y., entered the United States Naval Academy on 24 September 1857. After graduating 1st in his class four years later, he served as an instructor at the Academy. In 1864, he became the executive officer of the monitor Patapsco of the South Atlantic Blockading Station and engaged in sweeping torpedoes off Charleston. He survived the loss of that ironclad on 15 January 1865, when she struck a torpedo, exploded, and sank with a loss of 75 lives.

Following duty in the steam frigate, Colorado, on the European Station, another tour as instructor at the Naval Academy, and in the Bureau of Navigation of the Navy Department, he served in the screw sloop, Congress. He then commanded Alert, practice ship Mayflower, and Swatara while on duty at the Naval Academy.

Admiral SampsonDuring the next years, he was Assistant to the Superintendent of the Naval Observatory, then Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I. On 9 September 1886, he became Superintendent of the Naval Academy. He was promoted to Captain on 9 April 1889, reported to the Mare Island Navy Yard to fit out San Francisco, and assumed command when that protected cruiser was commissioned on 15 November 1889. He was detached in June 1892 to serve as Inspector of Ordnance in the Washington Navy Yard and was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance on 28 January 1893. He assumed command of battleship, Iowa, on 15 June 1897. On 17 February 1898, he was made President of the Board of Inquiry to investigate the destruction of battleship, Maine. On 26 March 1898, he assumed command of the North Atlantic Station, with the temporary rank of Rear Admiral.

The United States declared war against Spain on 21 April 1898; and, eight days later, Admiral Cervera's fleet sailed from the Cape Verde Islands for an uncertain destination. Admiral Sampson, in flagship New York, put to sea from Key West in search of the Spanish Fleet and established a close and efficient blockade on that fleet in the harbor of Santiago on 1 June 1898. On the morning of 3 July 1898, Cervera's fleet came out of the harbor and was completely destroyed in a running sea battle lasting five hours. The next day, Rear Admiral Sampson sent his famous message: “The Fleet under my command offers the nation as a Fourth of July present, the whole of Cervera's Fleet!”

He was appointed Cuban Commissioner on 20 August 1898 but resumed command of the North Atlantic Fleet in December. He became Commandant of the Boston Navy Yard in October 1899 and transferred to the Retired List on 9 February 1902. Rear Admiral Sampson died in Washington, D.C., on 6 May 1902 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Historical Notes:

Not yet available

Ship's Crest:

The Shield:

Dark Blue and Gold - Colors traditionally associated with the Navy, represent the sea and excellence.
Red Shield - Symbolizes valor and the RADM’s wartime service
Two Silver Stars - Honor the highest rank awarded to RADM Sampson, upon his retirement.
Five Gold Stars - The ships commanded by RADM Sampson; Alert, Mayflower, Swatara, San Francisco and Iowa.
Three Lightning Flashes - Denote the science and technology of USS Sampson, also highlights the former ships named Sampson.
Smaller Inner Shield - Displaying the embattled portion on top and lion recalls the Spanish ensign of 1898, during the Spanish-American War.
Lion - Represents the courage of RADM Sampson commanding the vessels that defeated the Spanish fleet.

The Crest:

The Demi-Doubled Bladed Battle Axe - Suggests USS Sampson’s execution of military duties at sea.
Bronze Star - Represents the battle star earned by the second vessel named for RADM Sampson, during World War II.
Laurel Wreath - A symbol of honor and achievement, commemorates RADM Sampson’s distinguished naval career.
The Heraldic Roses - Allude to the state flower of New York, the birthplace of RADM Sampson. The number of roses recall the various naval positions held by the RADM throughout his career, including Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Commandant of the Boston Navy Yard.

Seal: The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white field enclosed by a blue oval border edged on the outside with gold rope and bearing the name 'USS SAMPSON’ at top and ‘DDG 102’ in base all in gold.

PHOTOS

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TYPE	GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER (DDG)
CLASS	ARLEIGH BURKE
OFFICIAL NAME	USS SAMPSON
PENNANT NUMBER	102
NICKNAME	N/A
MOTTO	N/A
BUILDER	BATH IRON WORKS
CONTRACT AWARD DATE	09/13/2002
KEEL LAYING DATE	03/14/2005
LAUNCH DATE	09/17/2006
DELIVERY DATE	05/25/2007
COMMISSION DATE	11/03/2007
PLANNING YARD	BATH IRON WORKS, BATH, MAINE
NAVSEA PMS	400
CUSTODIAN	US NAVY
STATUS	ACTIVE DUTY
HOMEPORT	SAN DIEGO, CA
MAILING ADDRESS	FPO, AP 96678-1303
UIC (UNIT IDENT. CODE)	23161
TYPE COMMANDER	SURFPAC
FLEET COMMAND	N/A
GROUP COMMAND	N/A
SQUADRON COMMAND	DESRON 23

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Aegis Guided Missile Destroyers, ARLEIGH BURKE Class

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