From San Diego to South Carolina: The Decommissioning Journey of USS Cowpens
At Naval Base San Diego, on the evening of August 27, under partly cloudy skies that turned cloudy later, a chapter of maritime history closed. The USS Cowpens, a warship loaded with a storied past and named after a historic battle from the Revolutionary War, was decommissioned after 33 years of proud service.
A Revolutionary War Legacy Transformed into Naval Might
The USS Cowpens, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, has always represented and honored a time of great struggle and eventual victory. Its name traces back to the Battle of Cowpens, a significant tussle that took place near Spartanburg County, South Carolina nearly 250 years ago. In this encounter, American revolutionary forces triumphed over British troops, altering the course of the Revolutionary War in the South.
Reflecting its historical roots, the warship stood as the second of her name– the illustrious first USS Cowpens valiantly served during World War II, earning the nickname “The Mighty Moo”. Our recently decommissioned second Cowpens, launched in Charleston back in 1991, has also left its mark on world history, notably participating in crucial military operations in both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
Farewell to Arms
Teresa Clark, the town clerk of Cowpens, South Carolina, was present at the decommissioning ceremony. Clark, having witnessed the ship’s launch more than three decades prior, found the event to be a mix of emotions. Describing it as a “quiet and somber experience”, she said, “It was kind of sad but at the same time it was good to see the ship and the crewmen”.
In an expression of nostalgia, memorabilia from the Cowpens is set to be showcased in the Cowpens Depot Museum and Civic Center, adding to the existing collection already honoring the two mighty warships.
A Legacy well Preserved
Speaking on the event, Commanding officer Cmdr. Jac O. Ullman III shared that the guiding principle during the ship’s final act of service was to honor the legacy of Cowpens. Recounting their inspiration, Ullman said, “To honor the grit, determination, and creativity of the Continental Army and Militiamen from that cold battlefield”.
While the decommissioned ship will be carted off to the Navy’s Inactive Ship facility in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, its spirit lives on in the town of Cowpens, particularly through the annual Mighty Moo Festival, which pays homage to the courageous crew of the first USS Cowpens. Tentatively looking ahead, Clark hopes that the festival will continue to flourish, much like the enduring camaraderie fostered through the decommission ceremony.
The legacy of the Battle of Cowpens, the brave sailors that served on the two ships that bore its name, and the enduring spirit of a town rooted in history— all of these find a special mention as we reflect on the decommissioning of the USS Cowpens. Here’s to a history well-preserved, a legacy honoured, and ahead, a future of promise!
