Namesake:
Admiral Robert B. Carney
Upon graduation
from the Naval Academy, in 1916, the future Chief of Naval Operations
and son of Lieutenant Commander R.E. Carney (1868-1935) served onboard
the Battleship USS NEW HAMPSHIRE. In October of that year, he joined
the destroyer tender USS DIXIE until July 1917, when he transferred to
the destroyer USS FANNING. Admiral Carney, then a lieutenant, was
serving as Gunnery and Torpedo Officer when the FANNING sank the German
U-58 on November 17, 1917.
Between the wars, he commanded several destroyers, including
commissioning the destroyer USS REID. Additionally, he served as
Executive Officer of a battleship and acquired staff experience in the
fleet. Ashore, he served in the Navy Department in the Division of
Fleet Training and in the Shore Establishment Division of the Secretary
of the Navy’s office.
After the onset of the Second World War, Admiral Carney, newly promoted
to Captain, brought the light cruiser USS DENVER into commission and
set out for the South Pacific. While participating in the Solomon
Island campaign Admiral Carney was twice decorated for "exceptionally
meritorious conduct...in action against enemy Japanese forces..."
On July 26, 1943, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and became Chief of
Staff to Admiral William F. Hasley, Jr., Commander, South Pacific
Force, which included all ground, sea, and air forces in the South
Pacific area. When Admiral Halsey assumed command of the Third Fleet in
the Central Pacific in June 1944, Rear Admiral Carney accompanied him
as Chief of Staff. He took part in the Palau, Leyte, Lingayen, and
Okinawa campaigns and in the attack on Formosa, in the China Sea;
against the Japanese homeland and the Second Battle of the Philippine
Sea. During this period, he earned the Navy Cross, the United States
Navy’s ranking decoration for "-invaluable assistance in
formulating the plans for a series of combat operations in which task
forces of the Third Fleet engaged capitol ships of the Japanese fleet
waging devastation attacks on major Japanese combatant an carrier task
forces-"
Rear Admiral Carney arranged with Japanese emissaries for the entry of
the Third Fleet into Tokyo Bay, accepted the surrender ceremony held in
Admiral Halsey’s Flagship, the battleship USS MISSOURI.
After the war, he was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1946, and until
February 1950, served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. Next he
assumed command of the Second Fleet operating on the East Coast of the
United States. On October 2, 1950, he was advanced in rank to Admiral
and on May 13, 1953, President Eisenhower announced his selection of
Admiral Carney as the next Chief of Naval Operations.
On completion of his appointment as Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral
Carney retired from active service. Over the next several years,
Admiral Carney’s various assignments, coupled with his
personal interest in industrial participation in the defense effort,
resulted in close contact with industry including the position of
Chairman of the Board, Bath Iron Works, Corporation. The very same
shipyard which built the destroyer proudly bearing his name.
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Ship's Crest:
 The Shield:
Dark blue and gold are the colors
traditionally associated with the Navy and recall the sea and
excellence. The gold cross suggests the Navy Cross, one of the many
decorations awarded to Admiral Carney for operations against enemy
Japanese during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, from October 23 to 26,
1944... "(He) rendered invaluable assistance in formulating the plans
for a series of combat operations in which tack forces of the third
fleet engaged capital ships of the Japanese fleet, waging devastating
attacks on major Japanese combatant and carrier task forces in the
vicinity of Mindora, the Sulu Sea, and areas northeast of Luzon and off
the central Philippines..." The helmet is symbolic of ancestral Viking
and Celtic ferocity in combat. The four stars stand for the four
Distinguishing Service Medals received. CREST Issuing from a wreath Or
and Azure, three demi-spears pilewise Proper superimposed by a stylized
anchor Or.
Symbolism: The two spears form a
"V" alluding
to Admiral Carney's Legion of Merit with a "V" (Combat Distinguishing
Device) for exceptionally meritorious conduct...in action against enemy
Japanese forces... March 5-6, 1943 and the Bronze Star Medal with
combat "V" for operations in the Solomon's area on the night of July
29, 1943. The three spears represent submarine, surface and air
warfare. The anchor is reminiscent of Maritime tradition, United States
naval strength, sea prowess and excellence of achievement.
Motto: A tripartite scroll Azure
doubled,
garnished and inscribed "RESOLUTE COMMITTED SUCCESSFUL" in Gold The
coat of arms in full color as in the blazon, all upon a white
background enclosed within a dark blue oval border edged on the outside
with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS CARNEY" at top and
"DDG 64" in base all gold.
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