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General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Cruise Books

About the Ship's Coat of Arms

History

Accidents aboard USS Normandy

About the Name "Normandy"

Patch Gallery

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USS Normandy (CG 60)

USS NORMANDY is the 14^th ship in the TICONDEROGA - class of guided missile cruisers and the first ship in the Navy to bear the name.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: November 26, 1984
	Keel laid: April 7, 1987
	Launched: March 19, 1988
	Commissioned: December 9, 1989
	Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
	Propulsion system: four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines
	Propellers: two
	Blades on each Propeller: five
	Length: 567 feet (173 meters)
	Beam: 55 feet (16.8 meters)
	Draft: 34 feet (10.2 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 9,600 tons full load
	Speed: 30+ knots
	Cost: about $1 billion
	Aircraft: two SH-60 Sea Hawk (LAMPS 3)
	Armament: two Mk 41 VLS for Standard missiles, Tomahawk, ASROC; Mk 46 torpedoes, Harpoon missile launchers, two Mk 45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight guns, two Phalanx CIWS, two Mk 38 Mod 2 25mm machine gun systems
	Homeport: Norfolk, Va.
	Crew: 33 Officers, 27 Chief Petty Officers and approx. 340 Enlisted

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS NORMANDY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

Click here to view the list.

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Click here to see which USS NORMANDY memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS NORMANDY Cruise Books:

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

The lettering, lion, anchor, and perimeter of the shield are gold. The border beneath the lettering and the crest background are dark blue. These are the color traditionally associated with the Navy. The caltraps symbolize mines and German defenses on the Normandy beaches. The anchor characterizes sea power and strength. The chevron is broken and thrust forward, denoting the assault landing and the "breaking through" the enemy defenses; it is white for honor and integrity, edged with red for valor, sacrifice, and bloodshed.

The Crest:

The pole star signifies the Allied Forces that joined for the Normandy Invasion. It also portrays the four points of the globe, signifying the worldwide mission of the NORMANDY. The gold lion, adopted from the Coat of Arms of Normandy, France, represents the location of the assault and characterizes the courage, strength, and determination of the invasion forces. He grasps an inflamed trident in honor of Neptune, mythological lord of the sea, and code name for the Navy's crucial gunfire support and the delivery of land forces in the Battle of Normandy.

The Motto:

The words, "VANGUARD OF VICTORY," underscore the Battle of Normandy as the spearhead of the Allied defense which turned the tide of war in Europe.

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Click here to read more about the Cruiser’s Name, about the Battle of Normandy

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History of USS NORMANDY:

Just one year after her commissioning in Newport, RI, USS NORMANDY sailed into action in order to support the multinational effort to free Kuwait. NORMANDY and her crew left on 28 December 1990 to join United Nations forces conducting OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. As part of the USS AMERICA CARRIER BATTLE GROUP, NORMANDY transited the Suez Canal and the Red Sea on her way to the Arabian Gulf. NORMANDY fired 26 Tomahawk cruise missiles, protected allied ships and aircraft in the area, conducted maritime interdiction operations, and helped to locate and destroy enemy mines.

USS NORMANDY received the Navy Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal (with two bronze stars) for her efforts in support of OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM.

On 11 August 1993, USS NORMANDY and the USS AMERICA CARRIER BATTLE GROUP deployed to the Adriatic Sea in support of United Nations efforts with the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. NORMANDY's primary duty was Adriatic air-space controller for OPERATIONS PROVIDE PROMISE, DENY FLIGHT, and SHARP GUARD.

In a historic first, NORMANDY embarked 9 WWII veterans on 18 May 1994 for commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Allied landings on the coast of France. These activities took place in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and Le Havre, France. Over 15,000 visitors toured the ship while NORMANDY's honor guard embarked veterans participated in various memorial services and events on both sides of the English Channel. USS NORMANDY served as a centerpiece over the two week course of ceremonies, and specifically for national commemorations at Slapton Sands, United Kingdom on 31 May by U.S. Ambassador Crowe, and at the Normandy beach heads on 6 June by President Clinton. NORMANDY received the Navy Unit Commendation Medal in June for participation in the D-Day festivities.

On June 27, 1994, USS NORMANDY participated in the Naval Station New York closing ceremonies. Staten Island's mayor, Guy Molinari, and his daughter Congresswoman Susan Molinari were the featured speakers as the Navy turned the base over to the city's Emergency Services prior to departing for their new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. NORMANDY was stationed in Staten Island, New York for almost four years.

On August 28, 1995, USS NORMANDY began a six month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea with the USS AMERICA. On September 8, NORMANDY was in the Western Mediterranean conducting turnover with the outgoing Battle Group. Receiving immediate tasking to proceed at best speed to the Adriatic, NORMANDY sped across the 1600 Nautical miles at maximum speed. Arriving in the OPERATION DELIBERATE FORCE Theater of Operations in just under 48 hours, NORMANDY launched a thirteen missile Tomahawk strike against hostile air defense command and control sites in Northern Bosnia-Herzegovina. This precision strike, flawlessly executed on extreme short notice, paved the way for follow-on tactical air strikes against Bosnian Serb Military positions in the region. This action sent a strong signal of United States resolve and played a significant role in convincing the Bosnian-Serb government to cease hostilities and resume peace negotiations.

During the six month deployment NORMANDY again served as Adriatic air-space controller for OPERATIONS DENY FLIGHT, SHARP GUARD, and DECISIVE ENDEAVOR. NORMANDY was awarded her third Navy Unit Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her actions during her time in the Adriatic.

On 3 October 1997, NORMANDY once again began a six month deployment. This time, as Air Defense Commander of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON BATTLEGROUP. Throughout the month of October, NORMANDY participated, along with 27 other international units, in EXERCISE BRIGHT STAR off the Egyptian coast. Upon completion of BRIGHT STAR, NORMANDY was directed to proceed at best speed to the Arabian Gulf. Beginning November 16th, NORMANDY, along with other units of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Battle Group, transited the Suez Canal, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea. In a record-setting five days, NORMANDY and GEORGE WASHINGTON entered the Arabian Gulf and joined the NIMITZ BATTLE GROUP in an impressive show of force and United Nation resolve with Iraq. Immediately, NORMANDY assumed the duties as the "Ready Strike" platform in the Gulf and, later, also assumed the duties as the air-defense commander for the entire Arabian Gulf. For four months NORMANDY patrolled the Gulf in support of OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH. During this time, she conducted several successful maritime-interception operations along with her strike and air-defense duties. Throughout her most recent deployment, NORMANDY achieved more than 300 mishap free hours of flight operations, conducted 27 underway replenishments and sailed a total of 48,000 miles. Underway for the holidays NORMANDY hosted pop singer Paula Cole on the 23rd of December and the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm Jay Johnson, along with his wife and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, ETCM John Hagan, on Christmas morning. NORMANDY was relieved by the JOHN C. STENNIS BATTLE GROUP in the Arabian Gulf and returned to her homeport of Norfolk on April 3, 1998. NORMANDY finished a major overhaul period in Norfolk Naval Shipyard on 28 February. Additionally, NORMANDY was awarded the Majorie Sterrett Battleship Award for the most battle ready warship on the East coast.

On June 21, 2000, NORMANDY again, along with the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON BATTLE GROUP, deployed to the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea. On December 19, NORMANDY returned to Norfolk just in time for the holidays.

On June 20, 2002, NORMANDY left the US East Coast on her latest deployment. Again assigned to the GEORGE WASHINGTON BATTLE GROUP, NORMANDY is expected to return to Norfolk in December 2002.

Along with the title "Most Tomahawks shot by a US Navy Cruiser", USS NORMANDY holds three Battle "E" Awards for overall ship-wide excellence in performance. Additionally NORMANDY was awarded the Majorie Sterrett Battleship Award for the most battle ready warship on the East coast. She was the first US warship since 1945 to go to war (DESERT STORM) on her maiden cruise.

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Accidents aboard USS NORMANDY:

Date	Where	Events
June 6, 2017	80 miles east of Cherry Point, NC	A sailor is observed falling into the water while the NORMANDY is underway off North Carolina. A subsequent search involving five ships, including the aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), fails to recover the sailor.

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USS NORMANDY Patch Gallery:

Operation Desert Storm 1991 - HSL-44 Det.

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USS NORMANDY Image Gallery:

The photo below was taken by Karl-Heinz Ahles and shows USS NORMANDY at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on May 11, 1999.

The photo below was taken by me and shows the NORMANDY at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on November 9, 2008.

The photos below were taken by me and show the NORMANDY dry-docked at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Va., on February 3, 2009.

The photos below were taken by me and show the NORMANDY at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on May 6, 2012.

The photos below were taken by Carl Groll and show the NORMANDY during her early morning arrival in Kiel, Germany, after her participation in BALTOPS 2012. The photos were taken on June 15, 2012.

The photos below were taken by me and show the NORMANDY during her early morning arrival in Kiel, Germany, after her participation in BALTOPS 2012. The photos were taken on June 15, 2012. Note that she is not wearing any command excellence awards at all.

The photos below were taken by me and show the NORMANDY at Naval Base Kiel, Germany, on June 16 and 17, 2012.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the NORMANDY at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 28, 2013.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the NORMANDY at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 23, 2014.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the NORMANDY undergoing a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair on April 12, 2016.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the NORMANDY undergoing a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair on October 12, 2016.