NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive
USS COWPENS (CG 63)
Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Charlie - Oscar - Whiskey
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CLASS - TICONDEROGA (Flight II) |
 Patch image contributed by Mike Smolinski |
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
Second Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (5) - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (11) - National Defense Service Medal (2)
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal -Southwest Asia Service Medal (1) - Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Fourth Row - Global War On Terrorism Service Medal - Humanitarian Service Medal (2) - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4)
| Click On Image For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
|---|---|---|---|
 04016300 |
99k |
In upland South Carolina, at a place where local farmers penned their cows, an American force of 300 Continentals and 700 militia from North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia, won a brilliant victory against the British. On January 16, Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, pursued by 1,100 British under Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, carefully picked his ground for a defensive battle. That night, Morgan personally went among the Continentals and militiamen to explain his plan of battle. Morgan wanted two good volleys from the militia, who would then be free to ride away. The next day, the battle went very much as Morgan had planned. Georgia and North Carolina sharpshooters, in front of the main body of American militia, picked off British cavalrymen as they rode up the slight rise toward the Americans. Then the deadly fire of the main body of South and North Carolina militia forced Tarleton to commit his reserves. Seeing the militia withdrawing as planned, the 17th Light Dragoons pursued, but were driven off by Morgan's cavalry. Meanwhile, the British infantry, who assumed that the Americans were fleeing, were hit by the main body of Continentals, Virginia militiamen, and a company of Georgians. At the battle's end they were aided by militia troops, who, instead of riding away as planned, attacked the 71st Highlanders, who were attempting to fight their way out of the American trap. The British lost: 100 killed including 39 officers, 229 wounded, and 600 captured. As they fled the field, Tarleton and his dragoons were pursued by Colonel William Washington's cavalry, which included mounted Georgia and South Carolina militiamen. Many historians consider to be the turning point of the American Revolution in the Southern Campaign and perhaps the "greatest tactical victory ever won on American soil". "The Battle of Cowpens" painting © by Don Troiani |
Copyrighted Image courtesy of Don Troiani and Historical Art Prints |
 04016328 |
94k | The christening of the Cowpens (CG 63) by Mrs. Lucy Mustin, wife of VADM Henry Mustin, USN. | Dale Hargrave |
 04016329 |
153k | Cowpens (CG 63) sliding down the ways. | Dale Hargrave |
 04016330 |
92k | Tugs guiding the newly launched Cowpens (CG 63) to the outfitting pier. | Dale Hargrave |
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128k | Stern View, Overhead. | USN |
 04016332 |
337k | USS Cowpens breaking away after an underway replenishment. Date and location unknown. | Tyler Rogoway |
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143k | Alongside USS Sacramento (AOE 1) during refueling operations in the Persian Gulf, March 1993. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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110k | Alongside the Russian guided missile destroyer RNS Admiral Tributes in the Persian Gulf, March 1993 during joint operations. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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118k | USS Cowpens (CG 63) and the Russian guided missile destroyer RNS Admiral Tributes alongside during joint operations in the Persian Gulf, March 1993. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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151k | Overhead view, taken by F-14 fighter aircraft from USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63), Western Pacific, April 1993. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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135k | Port side view, entering San Francisco Bay, October 1993. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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96k | Port side view, off of Point Loma, San Diego CA, November 1993. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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74k | USS Cowpens through the periscope of the nuclear fast attack submarine USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716), Western Pacific, September 1994. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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106k | USS Cowpens alongside USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) in the Sea of Japan, September 1994. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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224k | USS Cowpens alongside USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) in the Sea of Japan, September 1994. | CAPT Dallas 04016323 USN (Ret.) |
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145k | Port side view, getting underway from Pusan, South Korea in October 1994. | CAPT Dallas Bethea USN (Ret.) |
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486k | The USS Rainier (AOE 7), provides underway replenishment services for the USS Cowpens (CG 63), during operations in the Southern pacific Ocean. The two ships were part of the USS Kitty Hawk Battle Group during their 96-97 deployment to the Northern Arabian Gulf. | Bill Gonyo |
 04016327 |
123k | USS Cowpens (CG 63) visiting Sydney, New South Wales, in mid-1997. This wide-angle photograph was released by the ship's Public Affairs Officer on 2 August 1997 with the following caption: "'Sitting on Top of the World', that's what it felt like to the crew of the USS Cowpens (CG 63) and looked like in this picture of 'The Mighty Moo' during a recent visit to Sydney, Australia. The Sydney Opera House and Bridge, that have become landmarks that signify Sydney are clearly seen in the background. The city is becoming a traditional stop for our Seventh Fleet assets and is preparing for the upcoming 1998 Olympic Games." Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo #NH 106533-KN. |
Robert Hurst |
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139k | Launching a Standard Missile (SM-2), during a training exercise off the coast of Southern California, 21 November 1997. | USN |
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505k |
22 September 1998, The USS Cowpens (CG 63) is currently forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Maritime Intercept Operations. U.S. Navy Photo by PH1(AW) Dennis A. Narlock. |
Bill Gonyo |
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344k |
The U.S. Naval Ship (MSC operated) USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) conducts a dual underway replenishment with the guided missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) and the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) on 22 September 1998. All three ships are currently forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Maritime Intercept Operations. U.S. Navy Photo #980922-N-4264N-019 by Photographers Mate 1st Class Dennis A. Narlock. |
Bill Gonyo |
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340k |
The USS Cowpens (CG 63) "breaks away" from the USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) after successfully completing an underway replenishment on 22 September 1998. Both ships are currently forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Maritime Intercept Operations. U.S. Navy Photo #980922-4264N-018 by PH1(AW) Dennis A. Narlock. |
Bill Gonyo |
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188k | Starboard bow view while operating in the Indian Ocean on 9 February 2001. Taken from the bridge wing of HMAS Darwin (FFG 44) while conducting leapfrogs. | LT Peter Hoegel Jr., USNR |
 04016323 |
319k | 15 October 2003 - USS Cowpens (CG 63) pulls alongside USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for replenishment-at-sea evolutions. The underway replenishment involves the on and off loading of materials while maneuvering. Kitty Hawk recently completed an extensive five-month maintenance period in Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Jason T. Poplin. United States Navy News Stand. Photo #031015-N-5821P-001. |
Robert Hurst |
 04016324 |
440k | Port bow view of the U.S. Navy Ticonderoga class Guided Missile Cruiser, USS Cowpens (CG 63), as the ship rests inside the dry dock, at Yokosuka, Japan, 15 March 2004, after completing the nine-week selected restricted availability on the Ships Repair Force (SRF) dry dock period. Photographer unknown. Photo ID: DN-SD-05-00213. |
Robert Hurst |
 04016318 |
41k |
The US Navy Ticonderoga Class guided missile cruiser USS COWPENS (CG 63) receives assistance from an Indian tugboat as she enters the port at Goa, India, during Exercise Malabar 2004, 3 Oct 2004. U.S. Navy photo #DN-SD-05-06298 by JO1 Todd Macdon |
Bill Gonyo |
 026361a |
91k |
Coral Sea, 14 June 2005 — USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) prepares to receive fuel at sea from the Royal Australian Navy auxiliary oiler replenishment ship HMAS Success (AOR 304). The guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) and the guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) trail astern. U.S. Navy photo # 050614-N-0120R-129 by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class William H. Ramsey. |
Gerd Matthes, Germany |
 04016320 |
190k |
INDIAN OCEAN, 3 August 2006 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) sails along side USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) while transiting through heavy seas during a close steaming exercise. Kitty Hawk demonstrates power projection and sea control as the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo #060803-N-3946H-057 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick L. Heil. |
Robert M. Cieri |
 026392 |
70k |
Pacific Ocean, 14 August 2007 — USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Groups transit in formation during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) during Valiant Shield 2007, the largest joint exercise in the Pacific this year. Held in the Guam operating area, Valiant Shield 2007 included 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The aerial formation, led by an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, consists of aircraft from the carrier strike groups as well as Air Force aircraft. Ships are, left to right: guided missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90); nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and the guided missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) and USS Pinckney (DDG 91); nuclear-propelled attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767); aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) and guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89); nuclear-propelled attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722); nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and the guided missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS O'Kane (DDG 77); the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer on the extreme right has not been positively identified, but is possibly USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60). U.S. Navy photo # 070814-N-6009S-001 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hana'lei Shimana. |
Chester Morris |
 04016319 |
48k |
USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) transit in formation during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) concluding Valiant Shield 2007. The PHOTOEX featured 15 ships and 17 aircraft from Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps including a B-52 bomber. The USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Groups were participating in Valiant Shield 2007, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. U.S. Navy Photo #070814-N-3541A-172 |
Bill Gonyo |
09591016 |
1314k |
PACIFIC OCEAN, 29 August 2009 - USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) conducts an underway replenishment with the guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) in the Pacific Ocean. US Navy photo # 090829-N-9123L-003 by MC2 Byron C. Linder. |
Lee Wahler |
 04016326 |
1m | Crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) pose for a group photo under the ship at Fleet Activities Yokosuka's dry dock six, 6 July 2010. U.S. Navy photo. United States Navy News Stand. Photo #100706-N-0000X-001.
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Robert Hurst |
 04016322 |
975k | YOKOSUKA, JAPAN, 21 Nov 2011 - The guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) returns to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan,
following an under way period to the 7th Fleet Area of Operations. U.S. Navy photo #111121-N-MU720-019 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devon Dow, USN. |
Robert M. Cieri |
 04016321 |
377k |
PACIFIC OCEAN, 20 September 2012 - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) fires Standard Missiles (SM) 2 at an airborne drone during a live-fire weapons shoot. Cowpens is part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, the U.S. Navy's only forward deployed carrier strike group, and is conducting a routine patrol of the western Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo #120920-N-TX154-336 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul Kelly |
Ron Reeves |
 04016331 |
1.3m | SOUTH CHINA SEA, 04 October 2012 - Gunner's Mates operate and monitor the 5-inch gun aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) from the loading room during a weapons test shoot. Cowpens is part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group based out of Yokosuka, Japan, and is conducting a patrol of the western Pacific in support of regional security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo #121004-N-TX154-050 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul Kelly |
USN |
 04016325 |
359k | USS Cowpens (CG 63) arrives in San Diego, 8 April 2013, from the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility after completing its forward-deployed mission and a hull swap with USS Antietam (CG 54). Cowpens has been forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan since 2000. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rosalie Garcia. United States Navy News Stand. Photo #130408-N-DH124-23 |
Robert Hurst |
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Commanding
Officers
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| Name/Rank | Class | Final Rank | Dates |
| Moore Jr., Edward, CAPT | VADM | 03/09/1991 - 02/02/1993 | |
| Bethea, William Dallas, CAPT | 02/02/1993 - 01/14/1995 | ||
| Snyder, William Lester, CAPT | 1972 | 01/14/1995 - 04/26/1997 | |
| Sullivan, William Daniel (Bill), CAPT | VADM | 04/26/1997 - 02/12/1999 | |
| Mason, William Robert, CAPT | 1974 | 02/12/1999 - 07/28/2000 | |
| Holmes, Paul Steven, CAPT | 07/28/2000 - 04/22/2002 | ||
| Dixon, Charles Barfield, CAPT | 1979 | 04/22/2002 - 06/11/2004 | |
| Sorce, John J. (Buz), CAPT | 1981 | 06/11/2004 - 05/17/2006 | |
| Mosher, Terry Daines, CAPT | 1984 | 05/17/2006 - 03/20/2008 | |
| Graf, Holly Anne, CAPT | 1985 | 03/20/2008 - 01/13/2010 | |
| Marin, Robert Guadalupe, CAPT | 01/13/2010 - 02/10/2012 | ||
| Lyons, Paul Joseph, CAPT | 02/10/2012 - 03/28/2012 | ||
| Disy, Thomas Christopher, CAPT | 1990 | 04/02/2012 - 02/05/2013 | |
| Tortora, Robert Parris, CAPT | 1988 | 02/05/2013 - 06/21/2013 (Hull swap with USS Cowpens) | |
| Gombert, Gregory W., CAPT | 06/21/2013 - 06/10/2014 | ||
| Chadwick II, Robert Berry, CAPT (temporary)
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1991 | RADM | 06/10/2014 - 08/29/2014 |
| Sciretta, Michael Scott, CAPT | RADM | 08/29/2014 - 09/25/2015 | |
| Sollfrank Jr., Horst Dieter, CDR | 09/25/2015 - 01/06/2017 | ||
| Burgon, Joseph Christopher, LCDR | 2004 | 10/06/2017 - 03/16/2018 | |
| Bieraugel, Paul William, CAPT | 03/18/2018 - 09/25/2020 | ||
| Rak, Michael J., CAPT | 1997 (USMMA) | 09/25/2020 - 07/15/2022 | |
| Garza, Victor Jonas, CAPT | 07/15/2022 - | ||
(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)
USS COWPENS (CG 63) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
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