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USS South Carolina (CGN 37)

USS SOUTH CAROLINA was the second ship in the CALIFORNIA class of nuclear powered guided missile cruisers and the fifth ship in the Navy to bear the name of the state. USS SOUTH CAROLINA was homeported in Norfolk, Va.

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Crew List:

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

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• Click here to see which USS SOUTH CAROLINA memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS SOUTH CAROLINA Cruise Books:

• Indian Ocean Cruise Book 1980
• Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm Cruise Book 1990-91

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History of USS SOUTH CAROLINA:

Originally designated DLGN 37, USS SOUTH CAROLINA was laid down on December 1, 1970, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia. The keel-laying ceremony was attended by Mrs. Margaret Rivers, widow of Congressman L. Mendel Rivers of South Carolina. The ship was launched on July 1, 1972, sponsored by Mrs. Imogene Buzhardt, wife of J. Fred Buzhardt, General Counsel of the Department of Defense. Captain William C. Neel assumed command of the precommissioning unit in 1973, and the first crew members began moving aboard in September 1974. SOUTH CAROLINA was delivered to the Navy on December 9, 1974, and commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia, on January 25, 1975, with Captain Neel in command.

Following commissioning, SOUTH CAROLINA made her first port visit to Charleston, South Carolina, at the request of Senator Strom Thurmond. During the visit, the ship received a silver service for her wardroom, presented in recognition of her association with the state. The cruiser subsequently returned to Norfolk, where she joined the Atlantic Fleet's nuclear-powered surface forces. Although her original assignment plans had called for a transfer to the Pacific Fleet and a homeport at San Diego in 1976, this change was not carried out. Norfolk remained her homeport throughout her active service.

From May through July 1975, SOUTH CAROLINA completed fitting-out activities, combat systems qualifications, and refresher training in the Caribbean. Her early exercises involved testing the ship's missile systems, propulsion plant, communications equipment, and tactical capabilities. On June 30, 1975, she was reclassified from a nuclear-powered guided-missile frigate, DLGN 37, to a nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser, CGN 37, as part of the Navy's fleetwide reclassification of major surface combatants.

During August and September 1975, SOUTH CAROLINA participated in her first operational North Atlantic deployment with the newly commissioned nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). The deployment provided an opportunity to integrate the cruiser's air-defense systems into carrier battle group operations and to conduct exercises involving surface ships, submarines, and aircraft. Her nuclear propulsion plant allowed sustained operations at high speed without conventional propulsion refueling, although periodic replenishment of food, ammunition, and other supplies remained necessary.

Following the North Atlantic deployment, SOUTH CAROLINA continued operations in the western Atlantic and Caribbean. She participated in Exercise Solid Shield, an exercise involving U.S. naval and other military forces, before preparing for her first Mediterranean deployment. In July 1976, she deployed with USS NIMITZ and her sister ship USS CALIFORNIA (CGN 36). The three nuclear-powered warships operated with the U.S. Sixth Fleet, conducting carrier escort duties, air-defense exercises, surveillance, and training with allied naval forces.

The deployment took place during a period of continued Cold War competition in the Mediterranean, where American and Soviet naval forces maintained substantial presences. SOUTH CAROLINA's responsibilities centered on the protection of the aircraft carrier and the coordination of surface and air-defense activities within the battle group. The deployment was completed in February 1977, after which the cruiser returned to Norfolk for maintenance, inspections, and further training.

In late 1977, SOUTH CAROLINA again deployed to the Mediterranean with USS NIMITZ and USS CALIFORNIA. The carrier began its deployment on December 1, 1977, while SOUTH CAROLINA's deployment preparations and movements had begun during the preceding weeks. The cruiser continued her Sixth Fleet assignments throughout the winter and spring, participating in exercises and maintaining the battle group's air-defense capability. She returned to Norfolk in July 1978, completing her second Mediterranean deployment.

During the latter half of 1978, SOUTH CAROLINA resumed Atlantic Fleet operations, including local training, equipment maintenance, and preparations for another overseas deployment. On January 16, 1979, the aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean. SOUTH CAROLINA served with the carrier battle group, which also included the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS VIRGINIA (CGN 38). The deployment involved routine Sixth Fleet operations and multinational exercises intended to maintain American and NATO maritime readiness. USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER returned to Norfolk on July 13, 1979.

The following year, SOUTH CAROLINA deployed with the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER battle group to the Indian Ocean. The deployment was undertaken during the Iranian hostage crisis, which had begun on November 4, 1979, when militants seized the United States Embassy in Tehran. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 further increased American security concerns in Southwest Asia. In response, the United States reinforced its naval presence in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER departed Norfolk on April 15, 1980, accompanied by SOUTH CAROLINA and USS VIRGINIA. The battle group became the first Atlantic Fleet carrier battle group to spend its entire overseas deployment in the Indian Ocean. Its operations included maritime surveillance, fleet air defense, tactical exercises, and the maintenance of a continuous American naval presence within reach of the Persian Gulf.

The deployment involved extended periods at sea and replenishment operations required to sustain the carrier and its escorts. SOUTH CAROLINA's principal responsibilities included protecting the carrier against potential air and surface threats, monitoring maritime activity, and participating in coordinated battle group training. The ships operated during a period in which the United States was assessing the consequences of the Iranian Revolution, the embassy hostage crisis, and developments in Afghanistan.

The deployment ended with the return of USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER to Norfolk on December 22, 1980. The carrier had spent approximately eight months away from its homeport, including an unusually long period of continuous operations at sea. SOUTH CAROLINA subsequently resumed Atlantic Fleet duties and underwent post-deployment maintenance and training.

During 1981, SOUTH CAROLINA operated in the western Atlantic and Caribbean. Her activities included training exercises and a visit to the Virgin Islands in November. Preparations for another Mediterranean deployment occupied the closing weeks of the year.

In January 1982, SOUTH CAROLINA deployed again with the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER battle group. The carrier departed Norfolk on January 5 and returned on July 13, while the cruiser completed her associated overseas assignment during the same period. The deployment involved Sixth Fleet operations in the Mediterranean, exercises with NATO naval forces, and carrier escort and air-defense duties. Following her return, SOUTH CAROLINA conducted maintenance and training in preparation for a major shipyard overhaul.

In January 1983, SOUTH CAROLINA entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, for her first extended overhaul. The availability lasted until late May 1984 and included repairs, maintenance, equipment modifications, and work necessary to maintain the reliability of her nuclear propulsion plant and combat systems. Following completion of the overhaul, the cruiser conducted sea trials and resumed training in the western Atlantic and Caribbean.

During the summer of 1984, SOUTH CAROLINA participated in exercises in the Caribbean and visited Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and Nassau, Bahamas. These operations included refresher training and the requalification of personnel and equipment following the lengthy shipyard period. The cruiser also visited Annapolis, Maryland, during the year.

In October 1984, SOUTH CAROLINA returned to Charleston for her second visit to her namesake state. During the visit, the ship hosted numerous civilian and military guests, including the governor of South Carolina. Public visits and official receptions formed part of the program before the cruiser resumed Atlantic Fleet operations.

The opening months of 1985 were devoted to preparatory exercises in the Caribbean and final arrangements for another overseas assignment. In March, SOUTH CAROLINA departed for a Mediterranean deployment that lasted approximately seven months and covered about 46,500 miles. During the cruise, she operated with Sixth Fleet units in the central and eastern Mediterranean, conducting carrier support, air-defense, and surveillance assignments.

A substantial part of the deployment was spent off Lebanon, where the civil war and the involvement of regional and international forces continued to create security concerns. On June 14, 1985, TWA Flight 847 was hijacked while flying from Athens to Rome and subsequently diverted to Beirut. The hostage crisis continued until June 30 and prompted an American military response that included increased naval readiness in the eastern Mediterranean.

SOUTH CAROLINA was among the American naval forces operating in the region during the crisis. Her assignments included surveillance, fleet-defense duties, and operations supporting the U.S. naval presence off the Lebanese coast. After completing her Mediterranean deployment, the cruiser returned to Norfolk in the autumn of 1985.

In October 1985, SOUTH CAROLINA began another extended maintenance period, which continued until June 1986. The work was followed by preparations for a North Atlantic deployment. In July 1986, the cruiser departed Norfolk for operations in northern European waters, including exercises with allied naval forces and port visits to Wilhelmshaven, West Germany, and Oslo, Norway.

The North Atlantic cruise involved operations in waters important to NATO's maritime defense planning. During the Cold War, the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic sea lanes were considered strategically significant for the movement of American reinforcements to Europe and for monitoring Soviet naval activity. SOUTH CAROLINA participated in exercises involving the coordination of air defense, surface warfare, communications, and fleet movements.

After returning to Norfolk, the cruiser began preparing for another Mediterranean deployment. On December 30, 1986, SOUTH CAROLINA departed with the USS NIMITZ battle group. The deployment involved operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and continued during the first half of 1987. SOUTH CAROLINA completed the assignment and returned to Norfolk on June 30, 1987.

Following post-deployment leave and maintenance, the cruiser resumed Atlantic Fleet operations. In February 1988, she participated in FLEETEX 2-88, which involved tactical training and coordination among fleet units. In early July, SOUTH CAROLINA visited Nassau, Bahamas, over the Independence Day holiday. On August 1, 1988, SOUTH CAROLINA visited Charleston, where the state of South Carolina formally recognized the cruiser as its State Flagship. Approximately 1,200 visitors toured the ship during the occasion, which included official activities and public access to the vessel. The visit continued the ship's association with her namesake state.

Later in August 1988, SOUTH CAROLINA departed for northern European waters to participate in NATO Exercise Northern Wedding with the battle group centered on the aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). The exercise involved NATO maritime forces operating in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea and was intended to practice the reinforcement and defense of northern Europe during a major international contingency.

SOUTH CAROLINA participated in combined exercises off Norway and visited Wilhelmshaven, West Germany. Her duties included air-defense coordination and other carrier battle group assignments. The cruiser returned to Norfolk in October 1988 and began preparations for a further Mediterranean deployment.

In December 1988, SOUTH CAROLINA deployed to the Mediterranean with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT battle group. The cruise involved Sixth Fleet operations, exercises with allied forces, and routine carrier escort assignments. During the deployment, SOUTH CAROLINA participated in the rescue of sailors from seven yachts that had become disabled during severe weather. Helicopters operating from USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT assisted in the rescue effort, while SOUTH CAROLINA supported the operation from the surface.

After completing the deployment, SOUTH CAROLINA returned to Norfolk on June 30, 1989. She subsequently undertook a period of operations in the Caribbean in support of activities involving the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV 59). The cruiser then entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for an availability lasting approximately four months. The shipyard period was devoted to maintenance and repairs required following the deployment.

On January 5, 1990, SOUTH CAROLINA departed Norfolk for Limited Team Training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. From January 26 through February 15, she participated in READIEX BASIC in the Puerto Rico operating area, conducting exercises intended to maintain tactical readiness and evaluate the ship's ability to operate with other naval units.

On March 12, 1990, SOUTH CAROLINA departed for law-enforcement support operations in the Caribbean. During the deployment, she served as a flagship for Coast Guard-related counterdrug activities and Commander, Caribbean Squadron. The cruiser supported the detection and interception of suspected drug-trafficking vessels and participated in two successful interdictions. She returned to Norfolk on April 13.

SOUTH CAROLINA returned to the Caribbean in July 1990 for further counter-narcotics operations. During this assignment, she served as flagship for Commander, Joint Task Group 4, and Commander, Caribbean Squadron. Her activities involved coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies responsible for monitoring maritime and aerial drug-trafficking routes in the Caribbean region.

On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, prompting the United Nations to condemn the invasion and impose economic sanctions against Iraq. The United States began Operation Desert Shield to protect Saudi Arabia and support the multinational effort to secure the region. American naval forces were deployed to the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and surrounding waters to enforce the sanctions and provide military capabilities for the developing coalition.

On October 1, 1990, SOUTH CAROLINA departed Norfolk for operations associated with the USS SARATOGA (CV 60) battle group. After crossing the Atlantic independently, the cruiser proceeded into the Mediterranean and transited the Suez Canal for the first time in her career. She entered the Red Sea, where coalition naval forces were conducting maritime interception operations intended to prevent prohibited cargo from reaching Iraq.

During Operation Desert Shield, SOUTH CAROLINA served as flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadron 24, who was responsible for Maritime Interdiction Force operations in the northern Red Sea. The assignment involved coordinating the interception, inspection, and diversion of merchant shipping suspected of violating United Nations sanctions. SOUTH CAROLINA participated in 27 boarding operations during this period. The embargo-enforcement mission required American and coalition vessels to identify approaching merchant ships, establish communications, examine cargo documentation, and conduct inspections when necessary. These operations were carried out in busy international shipping lanes and required coordination among naval units from several countries. SOUTH CAROLINA's command facilities and communications equipment supported the organization of these activities.

On November 7, 1990, Admiral Frank B. Kelso II, Chief of Naval Operations, visited SOUTH CAROLINA while the cruiser was operating in the Red Sea. The visit took place during the continuing buildup of American and coalition military forces in the region.

Following her maritime interdiction duties, SOUTH CAROLINA visited Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The visit was recorded in the ship's official historical account as the first by a nuclear-powered warship to the port. The cruiser subsequently returned to the Mediterranean, where American naval forces were preparing for the possibility of combat operations against Iraq.

In January 1991, SOUTH CAROLINA operated in the central Mediterranean in coordination with the battle groups of USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and USS AMERICA (CV 66). Both carrier battle groups were involved in the American naval deployments associated with the developing coalition campaign against Iraq.

On January 17, 1991, SOUTH CAROLINA departed Taranto, Italy, ahead of schedule as Operation Desert Storm began. The coalition air offensive against Iraqi military targets commenced that day, following the expiration of the United Nations deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. During the conflict, SOUTH CAROLINA served as an Anti-Air Warfare Commander in the Mediterranean, coordinating the surveillance and defensive arrangements for American naval forces operating in the region. Her duties included monitoring and protecting air routes associated with military operations and the maritime approaches to the Suez Canal. The cruiser was also involved in air-defense coordination connected with Operation Silver Cloud.

During the same deployment, SOUTH CAROLINA responded to the sinking of the merchant vessel CONTINENTAL LOTUS. The cruiser acted as on-scene commander for the recovery operation, supervising efforts that resulted in the rescue of four survivors and the recovery of 29 bodies. The incident required coordination of personnel and available search-and-rescue resources while the ship was operating in the Mediterranean.

Following the conclusion of major combat operations in the Gulf War, SOUTH CAROLINA completed her remaining assignments and returned to Norfolk on March 28, 1991. After returning to Norfolk, SOUTH CAROLINA entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, for an extensive overhaul and nuclear refueling. The availability included the replacement of the reactor cores and the modernization of major combat-system components under the New Threat Upgrade program. The work was intended to improve the cruiser's capabilities against aircraft and missile threats while maintaining the reliability of her propulsion and engineering systems.

The overhaul continued through the remainder of 1991, all of 1992, and much of 1993. During this period, the U.S. Navy was restructuring its fleet following the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, SOUTH CAROLINA completed the modernization program and departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard on March 30, 1994, to begin sea trials and preparations for a return to operational service.

The months following the overhaul involved testing, inspections, and refresher training intended to restore the ship's readiness after almost three years in the shipyard. These activities included evaluations of the nuclear propulsion plant, weapons systems, communications equipment, and tactical procedures.

During October and November 1994, SOUTH CAROLINA operated in the Straits of Florida in support of efforts to assist Cuban refugees attempting to reach the United States by sea. The operations followed the Cuban migration crisis of 1994, during which large numbers of people attempted to cross the Florida Straits aboard small boats and improvised rafts. American naval and Coast Guard forces conducted surveillance, rescue, transportation, and humanitarian support activities in response to the situation.

SOUTH CAROLINA participated in these operations by providing maritime support and assisting with the handling of refugees encountered at sea. The assignment represented one of the cruiser's first operational missions following her extensive modernization. After returning to Norfolk, she resumed training and prepared for another overseas deployment.

During the spring and summer of 1995, SOUTH CAROLINA completed operational training and exercises in preparation for a Mediterranean deployment. The security situation in southeastern Europe remained unstable as fighting continued in Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO and United Nations forces were involved in efforts to restrict military activities, monitor the conflict, and enforce international sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In the autumn of 1995, SOUTH CAROLINA began her eleventh overseas deployment. The cruise took her to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea, where she operated in support of NATO and international military commitments associated with the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. During the deployment, SOUTH CAROLINA supported Operation Deny Flight, the NATO mission established to enforce restrictions on military flights over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The operation had begun in April 1993 and continued until December 1995. Its activities included surveillance, air policing, and the enforcement of the no-fly zone established under United Nations authority.

SOUTH CAROLINA also participated in operations associated with Operation Sharp Guard, the maritime embargo conducted jointly by NATO and the Western European Union in the Adriatic Sea. The operation involved monitoring merchant shipping and enforcing the sanctions imposed against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. American and allied naval forces conducted surveillance and inspections to prevent unauthorized maritime traffic from violating the embargo.

While operating in the Adriatic, SOUTH CAROLINA served as an Air Warfare Commander and performed duties associated with the "Green Crown" air-control function. These assignments involved the coordination of air surveillance information, the management of the recognized air picture, and communication with aircraft and other naval units supporting operations in the region. Following the conclusion of the Dayton Peace Agreement in December 1995, NATO established the Implementation Force to support the military provisions of the agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. SOUTH CAROLINA subsequently participated in operations supporting the NATO-led peace implementation mission, known as Operation Joint Endeavor, with related naval activities conducted under the designation Decisive Endeavor.

The transition from Deny Flight and Sharp Guard to the peace implementation mission reflected changes in the military situation in the former Yugoslavia. SOUTH CAROLINA continued coordinating air-defense and surveillance activities in the Adriatic while NATO forces monitored the implementation of the peace agreement. The cruiser completed her deployment and returned to Norfolk in the spring of 1996. Her service in support of the Balkan operations was recognized through the award of the NATO Medal and the Armed Forces Service Medal.

Following her return, SOUTH CAROLINA underwent a maintenance availability lasting approximately two months, completed in July 1996. She subsequently began the Total Ship's Training Availability process, which involved exercises, inspections, and evaluations designed to prepare the crew and equipment for further fleet operations. During the autumn of 1996, SOUTH CAROLINA visited Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for Broward County Navy Days. The visit included public tours and activities involving local civilian and military representatives. Hundreds of visitors were welcomed aboard during the event.

The cruiser continued operational training through the remainder of 1996 and into 1997. In the spring of 1997, she joined the battle group centered on the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) for a series of exercises preceding the group's overseas deployment. From April through June 1997, SOUTH CAROLINA participated in a Composite Training Unit Exercise with the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON battle group. During the exercise, she served as Air Warfare Commander and coordinated surface-to-air missile training involving multiple ships. The exercise tested the battle group's ability to detect and track simulated airborne threats, assign defensive responsibilities, and conduct coordinated missile engagements.

The training also involved command-and-control procedures and the exchange of tactical information among participating naval units. Following completion of COMPTUEX, SOUTH CAROLINA continued preparations for deployment and participated in FLEETEX during August 1997.

On October 3, 1997, the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON battle group departed Norfolk for a deployment to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf region. SOUTH CAROLINA sailed as part of the formation on what became her final overseas deployment. During the cruise, she operated with the U.S. Sixth Fleet and performed air-warfare command duties in support of the deployed naval forces. The deployment included participation in three major NATO exercises and a series of port visits throughout the Mediterranean. SOUTH CAROLINA made thirteen port calls during the cruise, including Haifa, Israel; Naples, Italy; and Rota, Spain. Her activities involved exercises with allied naval forces, surveillance, air-defense coordination, and the maintenance of readiness for regional contingencies.

During the same period, the United States continued operating naval and air forces in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf in response to developments involving Iraq and the broader security situation in the Middle East. SOUTH CAROLINA's principal assignments remained associated with Sixth Fleet operations and the air-defense coordination of deployed naval units. SOUTH CAROLINA completed her final Mediterranean deployment and returned to Norfolk in April 1998. Within weeks of her return, the cruiser departed for a six-week counter-narcotics assignment in the southwestern Caribbean. The operation involved maritime surveillance and coordination with American law-enforcement agencies conducting efforts to detect and intercept suspected drug-trafficking activity.

Following the counterdrug assignment, SOUTH CAROLINA returned to Norfolk, where preparations for the ship's withdrawal from active service continued. Her final visit to Charleston, South Carolina, took place from August 10 through 14, 1998. The visit included official activities and opportunities for visitors to tour the cruiser. It also marked the final occasion on which SOUTH CAROLINA returned to the state whose name she carried.

On August 14, 1998, SOUTH CAROLINA departed Charleston for Norfolk. A deactivation ceremony was held at Naval Station Norfolk on August 28, marking the end of her operational career. The ceremony took place more than twenty-three years after her commissioning and followed eleven major overseas deployments. Although SOUTH CAROLINA was no longer conducting operational assignments, she formally remained in commission while the Navy carried out the procedures required for the inactivation of a nuclear-powered surface combatant. On November 4, 1998, the cruiser entered Dry Dock No. 4 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for further deactivation work.

USS SOUTH CAROLINA was formally decommissioned on July 30, 1999, and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on the same date. Her retirement ended more than twenty-four years of commissioned service with the Atlantic Fleet. The decision to withdraw the remaining nuclear-powered surface cruisers followed the Navy's post-Cold War reduction of the fleet and its assessment of the long-term costs associated with maintaining and operating these ships.

Following decommissioning, SOUTH CAROLINA was prepared for transfer to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, for disposal under the Navy's Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program. The former cruiser arrived at the shipyard on March 13, 2000. The recycling process involved the removal of nuclear fuel, dismantling of the ship's equipment and structure, and the controlled disposal of reactor compartments and other materials. Although SOUTH CAROLINA had arrived at Bremerton in 2000, the main recycling process did not begin until October 1, 2007. During the dismantling, the Navy preserved the ship's bow as a memorial. The retained section was incorporated into the Puget Sound Memorial Plaza at the shipyard, providing a permanent reminder of the former cruiser and the personnel who had served aboard her.

Recycling of SOUTH CAROLINA was completed on May 10, 2010. The preserved bow remained at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, while the remainder of the vessel had been dismantled under the Navy's nuclear-powered ship disposal program.

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USS SOUTH CAROLINA Image Gallery:

The photo below was taken by Karl-Heinz Ahles and shows the USS SOUTH CAROLINA at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., in 1998.

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