Namesake:
Rear Admiral John H. Russell
Rear Admiral
John Henry Russell was appointed a midshipman on 10th of September
1841. As a junior officer, he served in ships such as CYANE and UNITED
STATES in the Pacific, ST. MARY'S in the Gulf of Mexico, the store ship
RELIEF, the mail steamer GEORGIA, various other ships of the North
Pacific Exploring Expedition, in VINCENNES as navigator when she made
her cruise into the Arctic, and in the WABASH in the Mediterranean.
RADM Russell is most famous for his Civil War heroics in Pensacola
Harbor. In command of four small boats, then LT Russell passed through
the heavy pounding of shore batteries. After his own coxswain was shot,
he grabbed the tiller of his boat and led 100 men to the Confederate
Privateer JUDAH. He and his men then jumped to the deck of JUDAH and
destroyed it by fire. For his actions he received the following
commendation from the Secretary of the Navy: " An expedition, executed
in the face of an enemy so much superior in numbers, with such
brilliancy gallantry and success, can not pass without the special
recognition of the Department. To those who were engaged in it, not
only the Department, but the whole country, it is indebted for one of
the brightest pages in that has adorned our naval record during this
rebellion. Indeed, it may be placed, without disparagements, side by
side with the fairest that adorn our early naval history. "The
expedition will give renown, not only to those who were immediately
concerned in it, but to the Navy itself - it will inspire others in the
service to emulation--its recital hereafter will thrill the heart with
admiration. "The Department will cherish the recollection of the
exploit, and desires you to express to the officers, seamen and marines
who participated in it, its highest admiration of their conduct."
As a reward for this brilliant enterprise, LT Russell was given command
of the gunboat KENNEBEC in which he rendered distinguished war service
for eight months on the Mississippi River, especially in operations
resulting in the passage of Farragut's fleet past Forts Jackson and St.
Philip. He further participated in the first engagements at Grand Gulf,
Port Houston, Baton Rouge and Vicksburg. The KENNEBEC was subsequently
employed under Russell on blockade duty on the Gulf Coast. Following
the KENNEBEC, he commanded the steamer PONTIAC with the South Atlantic
Blockading Squadron, served on ordnance duty at Washington and
commanded CYANE, the same ship on which he served as a midshipman.
After the Civil War, his duties were at the naval yards at Norfolk and
Mare Island, and in command of the USS OSSIPEE on the pacific Coast. In
September 1870, after the OSSIPEE rode out a hurricane, she went in
search of the boats of the steamer CONTINENTAL which had foundered off
the coast of lower California. The lives of a number of the CONTINENTAL
crew were saved. Following the OSSIPEE, CAPT Russell commanded USS
PLYMOUTH, North Atlantic Squadron and commanded USS POWATAN, special
duty.
After serving several years at the Washington Navy Yard and at the Navy
Department, RADM Russell served as Commandant of the Mare island Navy
Yard from 1883 to 1886. He retired from active service on the 27th of
August 1886 and died on the 1st of April, 1897.
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Ship's Crest:
The Shield: Dark blue and gold are
the
colors traditionally associated with the Navy. Gold is emblematic of
excellence and red denotes valor and sacrifice. The red wedge and the
trident symbolize DDG 59's modern warfare capabilities: the Aegis and
Vertical Launch Systems. The three tines represent submarine, surface
and air warfare. The wedge superimposed on the wave alludes to Major
General Russell's leadership and vision in the development of the Fleet
Marine Force and amphibious doctrine. The two gauntlets symbolize the
two RUSSELL's and highlight teamwork and cooperation. The wavy
divisions of the shield represent a river and underscore Rear Admiral
Russell's service in coastal and river campaigns during the Mexican War
and Civil War. The sun and light blue reflect the tropical climate of
the Gulf Coast and Caribbean, referring to both Russell's service in
the Gulf of Mexico and, especially, Major General Russell's extended
service in Haiti. The sun and light blue also highlight the south and
west Pacific service of the first USS RUSSELL (DD 414) in World War II.
The Crest: The sixteen-sided shield
and
star commemorate the first USS RUSSELL's sixteen battle stars earned
during World War II. The gold star also denotes command and authority.
The stylized Oriental dragon symbolizes strength, vigilance and service
in the Orient and Pacific.
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