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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS SOUTH CAROLINA (DLGN/CGN 37)


       

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Lima - Victor - Quebec


Patch image contributed by Mike Smolinski

CLASS - CALIFORNIA
Displacement 9,561 Tons, Dimensions, 596' (oa) x 61' x 31' 6" (Max)
Armament 2 Standard SAM 1x2, (80 Missiles) 2 x 5"/54RF, ASROC (24 Missiles) 4 x12.75" TT.
Machinery, 60,000 SHP; 2 G.E. Reactors (D2G), Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30+ Knots, Crew 540.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 01 DEC 1970 at Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, VA
Launched 01 JUL 1972
Commissioned 25 JAN 1975
Reclassified CGN 37 on 30 JUN 1975
Deactivation 28 AUG 1998
Decommissioned 30 JUL 1999
Stricken 30 JUL 1999
Fate:
13 MAR 2000 Arrived PSNS
01 OCT 2007 Recycling commenced
10 MAY 2010 Recycling completed

Ships bow has been dedicated as a memorial in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.


Patch image contributed by Mike Smolinski

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Unit Commendation - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2)
Second Row - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (3) - Navy Expeditionary Medal - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Southwest Asia Service Medal (1) - Amed Forces Service Medal
Fourth Row - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (11) - Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)


Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
South Carolina
04013743
131k Artist's concept drawing. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013745
140k Keel Laying Ceremony invitation, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013746
154k Keel Laying Ceremony postal cover, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013747
134k Keel Laying Program cover, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013744
195k Admiral Hyman Rickover, Senator Strom Thurmond, Mr. Ackerman, Mrs. Rivers, Mrs. Ackerman, The Honorable L.M. Rivers, and Mrs. Eastwood, 1 December 1970 . Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013748
223k Mrs. Ackerman, Mrs. Zumwalt, Mrs. Eastman, Mrs. Rivers, Mrs. Holifield, Mr. Ackerman, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013749
189k Admiral Hyman Rickover and Mrs. Rivers at the Keel laying ceremony, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013750
249k Keel plate being lowered into place,1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013770
452k Admiral Zumwalt speaking at the Keel laying ceremony,1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013769
432k Secretary of the Navy John H. Chafee speaking at the Keel laying ceremony, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013751
234k Mr. Ackerman speaking at the Keel laying ceremony, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013755
155k Admiral Rickover and Mrs. Rivers reviewing the program, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013752
175k Mr. Rivers authenticating the keel, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013753
184k Mrs. Rivers authenticating the Keel, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013756
199k Mr. & Mrs. Rivers showing off their tools, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013754
180k Mrs. Rivers with the Presentation plate, 1 December 1970. Ron Reeves
South Carolina 342k Launching invitation for USS South Carolina (DLGN 37), 01 July 1972. Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina
04013759
53k Launch ceremony ticket, 01 July 1972. Ron Reeves
South Carolina 222k Launching program cover, 01 July 1972. Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina
04013758
105k Launch postal cover, 01 July 1972. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013773
230k Mrs. J. Fred Buzhardt christening South Carolina (CGN 37), 01 July 1972. S. Dale Hargrave
South Carolina
04013728
310k South Carolina sliding down the ways on 01 July 1972. S. Dale Hargrave
South Carolina
04013757
269k South Carolina sliding down the ways on 01 July 1972. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013760
228k Sea trials, around 14 October 1974. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013761
298k Sea trials, around 14 October 1974. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013762
334k Sea trials, around 14 October 1974. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013763
280k Sea trials, around 14 October 1974. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013764
307k Sea trials, around 14 October 1974. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013765
289k Sea trials, around 14 October 1974. Robert M. Cieri & Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013766
295k Sea trials, around 14 October 1974. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013767
166k Sea trials, around 14 October 1974. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013768
49k Commissioning invitation, 25 January 1975. Ron Reeves
South Carolina 267k Commissioning program cover, 25 January 1975. Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina 143k Commissioning first day postal cover, 25 January 1975. Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina 32k Port view, underway. USN
South Carolina 38k (Dark) Undated moored. USN
South Carolina 49k Starboard view, underway. USN
South Carolina 55k (poor) Overhead image underway. USN
South Carolina 25k Stern view, Date unknown Unknown
South Carolina 517k

Undated port bow view.

Photo © Atlantic Fleet Sales

Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina 111k Starboard bow. 1974. USN
South Carolina 136k Welcome Aboard booklet, January 1975. Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina 64k Virginia Capes, May 1975. © Richard Leonhardt
South Carolina 140k Virginia Capes, May 1975. © Richard Leonhardt
South Carolina 67k Atlantic, May 1975. © Richard Leonhardt
California 105k "The Navy's second nuclear task force is shown off the Virginia Capes. USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is escorted by the nuclear-powered cruisers USS California (CGN 36) and USS South Carolina (CGN 37)." From the NAVSEA Journal.

This photo was possibly taken in 1975.

Bob Bush
California 123k This is a picture of the Nimitz Task Group from 1976 with South Carolina (CGN 37) (top), Nimitz (CVN 68), and California (CGN 36).
Michael Boyd,
USS California
South Carolina
04013727
60k

USS South Carolina at anchor with the USS Grand Rapids (PG 98) moored along side in the Kithira Strait off of Greece on 8 August 1976. View from the Soviet ship Krasny Krim ( Kashin class DDG).

Eugene Ivkin
South Carolina
04013739
168k 9 August 1976. The Eastern Mediterranean, Kithira Strait. The USS South Carolina passes by the Soviet ship Krasny Krim ( Kashin class DDG). Eugene Ivkin
South Carolina
04013740
188k 9 August 1976. The Eastern Mediterranean, Kithira Strait. The USS South Carolina passes by the Soviet ship Krasny Krim ( Kashin class DDG). Eugene Ivkin
South Carolina
04013741
241k 9 August 1976. The Eastern Mediterranean, Kithira Strait. The USS South Carolina passes by the Soviet ship Krasny Krim ( Kashin class DDG). Eugene Ivkin
South Carolina
04013742
165k 9 August 1976. The Eastern Mediterranean, Kithira Strait. The USS South Carolina passes by the Soviet ship Krasny Krim ( Kashin class DDG). Eugene Ivkin
Virginia
04013813
170k

HAMPTON ROADS, VA, 22 December 1980 - Aerial bow view of the nuclear-powered cruiser USS Virginia (CGN 38) being assisted by Navy tugs. The nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS South Carolina (CGN 37) and nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) are close astern, as they enter port after an Indian Ocean deployment.

U.S. Navy photo #DN-ST-84-00318 by: PH2 Colin E. Fritz.

Robert M. Cieri
Virginia
04013812
41k

An aerial starboard bow view of six nuclear-powered guided missile cruisers underway in formation during exercise READEX 1-81. The ships are, from left to right: USS TEXAS (CGN 39), USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN 40), USS CALIFORNIA (CGN 36), USS SOUTH CAROLINA (CGN 37), USS VIRGINIA (CGN 38) and USS ARKANSAS (CGN 41). Photo taken 26 February 1981 by PH1 Anthony Alleyne.

DOD Photo #DN-SC-87-08333

Steve Dietrich
Virginia
04013825
665k

Six nuclear powered cruisers sailing together on 28 February 1981. The United States had operated nuclear powered cruisers for over three decades. USS Long Beach (CGN 9) entered service in 1961 while the final cruisers, the California class were decommissioned in 1999 (The Virginia class, the final class designed and built, were decommissioned in 1998). First row, front to back:

USS Virginia (CGN 38)
USS South Carolina (CGN 37)
USS California (CGN 36)

Second row, front to back:

USS Arkansas (CGN 41)
USS Mississippi (CGN 40)
USS Texas (CGN 39)

U.S. Navy
South Carolina
04013726
161k

1 January 1982 - An aerial port beam view of the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS South Carolina (CGN 37) underway.

U.S. Navy Photo #DN-SC-87-05072

Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina
04013725
201k

1 January 1982 - A port beam view of the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS South Carolina (CGN 37). A-7 Corsair II and A-6 Intruder aircraft are parked on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), foreground.

U.S. Navy photo #DN-SC-87-05077.

Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina
04013735
676k Wilhelmshaven, Germany, between August and October 1986, while escorting the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on a short North Atlantic deployment. Wolfgang Hechler
South Carolina
04013736
730k Wilhelmshaven, Germany, between August and October 1986, while escorting the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on a short North Atlantic deployment. Wolfgang Hechler
South Carolina
04013737
682k Wilhelmshaven, Germany, between August and October 1986, while escorting the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on a short North Atlantic deployment. Wolfgang Hechler
South Carolina
04013738
681k Wilhelmshaven, Germany, between August and October 1986, while escorting the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on a short North Atlantic deployment. Wolfgang Hechler
South Carolina
04013827
3.25m USS Virginia (left) and USS South Carolina (right), 1987, location unknown. Bob Canchola
South Carolina
04013771
501k Anchored in La Spezia, Italy 28 April 1987 Carlo Martinelli
South Carolina
04013772
405k Italian Minesweeper Loto (M5538) passing USS South Carolina (CGN 37), 28 April 1987. La Spezia, Italy. Carlo Martinelli
South Carolina
04013774
412k Italian Special Forces Tender Pietro Cavezzale (A5301) passing USS South Carolina (CGN 37), 28 April 1987. La Spezia, Italy. Carlo Martinelli
South Carolina 205k Welcome Aboard booklet, circa 1991. Robert M. Cieri
Mississippi
04014029
1m Bow view of USS Mississippi (CGN 40) (right) and stern view of USS South Carolina (CGN 37) (left) while moored at Norfolk Naval Station, 1994. Floating Crane YD-257 is to the right of Mississippi and the barge between them has her bow anchor resting on it. Cody Shaffer
South Carolina 474k Starboard bow view, 1995, after NTU modifications. Joe Gardella
South Carolina 343k Welcome Aboard booklet, circa 1997. Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina 374k

USS South Carolina (CGN 37) cuts through the water of the Atlantic Ocean during a transit to the Mediterranean Sea on 9 October 1997. South Carolina is currently on a six month deployment with USS George Washington (CVN 73) Battle Group.

Official U.S. Navy Photo #971009-N-9975P-001 by Photographer's Mate First Class Petty Officer Gregory Pinkley.

Bill Gonyo
South Carolina 437k

USS South Carolina (CGN 37) cuts through the water of the Atlantic Ocean during a transit to the Mediterranean Sea on 9 October 1997. South Carolina is currently on a six month deployment with USS George Washington (CVN 73) Battle Group.

Official U.S. Navy Photo #971009-N-9975P-002 by Photographer's Mate First Class Petty Officer Gregory Pinkley.

Bill Gonyo
South Carolina 201k

The guided missile cruiser USS South Carolina (CGN 37) is guided pierside by the large harbor tug USS Tontogany (YTB 821) (right). South Carolina returned from a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.

U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class David W. Crenshaw.

Bill Gonyo/Robert Hurst
South Carolina 208k Decommissioning program cover, 28 August 1998. Robert M. Cieri
South Carolina
04013729
188k The bow of CGN 37 now enshrined at Bremerton, just outside the gate to the Shipyard. Photos taken by Tom Armstrong. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013730
56k The bow of CGN 37 now enshrined at Bremerton, just outside the gate to the Shipyard. Photos taken by Tom Armstrong. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013731
68k The bow of CGN 37 now enshrined at Bremerton, just outside the gate to the Shipyard. Photos taken by Tom Armstrong. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013732
92k The bow of CGN 37 now enshrined at Bremerton, just outside the gate to the Shipyard. Photos taken by Tom Armstrong. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013733
68k The bow of CGN 37 now enshrined at Bremerton, just outside the gate to the Shipyard. Photos taken by Tom Armstrong. Ron Reeves
South Carolina
04013734
58k The bow of CGN 37 now enshrined at Bremerton, just outside the gate to the Shipyard. Photos taken by Tom Armstrong. Ron Reeves

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Neel, William Charles, CAPT     04/15/72 - 10/13/76
Simonton, Bennet Stocum, CAPT 1957   10/13/76 - 02/29/80
Hilt, John William, CAPT 1959   02/29/80 - 06/25/83
Sydow, Kenneth Robert, CAPT     06/25/83 - 07/12/86
Ernst, Eric Rodholm, CAPT 1965   07/12/86 - 06/15/89
Mitchell, Anthony E., CAPT 1967   06/15/89 - 07/19/91
Craighill, John St.Clair, CAPT 1967   07/19/91 - 05/28/94
Gaffney, Michael Gattrell, CAPT 1971   05/28/94 - 1/11/1997
Brown, David Kearney, CAPT 1972   1/11/1997 - 07/30/99

(Courtesy of Robert M. Cieri, Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves)


USS SOUTH CAROLINA (DLGN/CGN 37) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: James Greiner
Address:
Phone:
E-mail: jrgreiner60@yahoo.com

Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Cruiser Pages By Andrew Toppan.
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Cruiser Photo Index Page

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