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General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books About the Ship's Coat of Arms COs of USS Harry S. Truman Accidents aboard the Ship Notes of interest About the Ship's Battle Flag About Ship's Namesake Construction Gallery History Deployments of USS Harry S. Truman Patch Gallery Image Gallery to end of page |  |  |
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN is the eighth NIMITZ - class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the first ship in the Navy to bear the name.
| General Characteristics: | Keel Laid: Nov. 29, 1993 |
| Launched: Sept. 13, 1996 | |
| Commissioned: July 25, 1998 | |
| Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va. | |
| Propulsion System: two nuclear reactors | |
| Main Engines: four | |
| Propellers: four | |
| Blades on each Propeller: five | |
| Aircraft elevators: four | |
| Catapults: four | |
| Arresting gear cables: four | |
| Length, overall: 1,092 feet (332.85 meters) | |
| Flight Deck Width: 257 feet (78.34 meters) | |
| Area of flight deck: about 4,5 acres | |
| Beam: 134 feet (40.84 meters) | |
| Draft: 38,4 feet (11.7 meters) | |
| Displacement: approx. 100,000 tons full load | |
| Speed: 30+ knots | |
| Planes: approx. 85 | |
| Crew: Ship: approx. 3,200 Air Wing: 2,480 | |
| Armament: two Mk-57 Mod 3 Sea Sparrow, three | |
| Homeport: Norfolk, Va. |
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageCrew List:
This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageUSS HARRY S. TRUMAN Cruise Books:
back to top go to the end of the pageAbout the Ship's Coat of Arms:
Oval in shape, the coat of arms characterizes the global on-station capability of the ship and the United States Navy. Truman's name forms the shape of a forward-deployed aircraft carrier prepared to uphold and protect American interests.
The eagles assume a dominant presence denoting command of the sea, strength and authority, yet one grasps an olive branch, emphasizing the carrier's peacekeeping mission and Harry S. Truman's attitude: "To bear no malice." The eagle embodies the principles of integrity and honesty which personify Truman's attitudes and beliefs.
The encased signal flag inscription spells H S T and is flanked by wreaths denoting the honor and achievement which President Truman accomplished and the ship strives to achieve.
Thirty-three gold stars commemorate Harry S. Truman's term as 33rd president of the United States. The ship's motto, "The Buck Stops Here," derives from President Truman's belief that he ultimately bore the responsibility for making the final decision. Passing the buck was not an option.
back to top go to the end of the pageUSS HARRY S. TRUMAN's Commanding Officers:
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| July 25, 1998 - November 19, 1999 | Captain Thomas G. Otterbein, USN |
| November 19, 1999 - March 2002 | Captain David L. Logsdon, USN |
| March 2002 - July 2004 | Capt. Michael R. Groothousen, USN |
| July 2004 - July 2006 | Capt. James P. Gigliotti, USN |
| July 2006 - February 2009 | Capt. Herman A. Shelanski, USN |
| February 2009 - August 2011 | Capt. Joseph M. Clarkson, USN |
| August 2011 - November 8, 2011 | Capt. Tushar R. Tembe, USN |
| November 8, 2011 - November 11, 2011 | Capt. Craig Clapperton, USN |
| November 11, 2011 - August 16, 2012 | Capt. Dee Mewbourne, USN |
| August 16, 2012 - present | Capt. S. Robert Roth, USN |
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back to top go to the end of the pageAccidents aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN:
| Date | Where | Events |
|---|---|---|
| September 10, 2002 | 25 miles south-southeast of Puerto Rico | One of VS-22's S-3B aircraft operating from USS HARRY S. TRUMAN was reported missing. Search and rescue efforts involving the TRUMAN Battle Group and other ships and aircraft operating in the southern Puerto Rican Operating Area covered more than 3,600 square miles of water. A debris field was discovered about 25 miles south-southeast of Puerto Rico. There were no survivors. The three deceased crewmembers have been identified as: Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey J. Gray, 40, of Mound, Minn.; Lt. Cmdr. Michael D. Chalfant, 36 of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Lt.(jg) Thomas Brandan McCombie, 25 of State College, Penn. At the time of the accident, the TRUMAN Battle Group was conducting training exercises as part of a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX). |
| August 15, 2007 | off North Carolina | An E-2C assigned to VAW-120 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after being catapulted off the flight deck of HARRY S. TRUMAN. The accident happened at 11.10 p.m. local time and the E-2C went down in an explosion approx. 1/2 mile from the TRUMAN. The carrier performed an emergency stop and a plane guard helicopter and small boats were dispatched immediately but no survivors or debris could be located. Killed in the accident were LT Ryan K. Betton, LT Cameron N. Hall and LT Jerry R. Smith. |
| October 16, 2012 | east off Florida | During an underway replenishment with USNS PATUXENT (T-AO 201) a line parts injuring four TRUMAN sailors. Two of the sailors were medevaced to NAS Jacksonville, Fla. for treatment while another one was flown to NAS Norfolk, Va. The fourth sailor was treated on board. |
| December 9, 2012 | Virginia Capes | The starboard wing of an E-2C collides with the spinning port propeller of another Hawkeye while both aircraft are chocked and chained. No injuries are reported. |
back to top go to the end of the pageNotes of Interest:
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageAbout the Ship's Battle Flag:
Steeped in tradition, every U.S. naval vessel has flown a battle flag from its mast during special evolutions. The crew of USS HARRY S. TRUMAN designed her battle flag as more than a tribute to the ship’s namesake.
TRUMAN’s battle flag is a variation of the flag carried by the 129th Field Artillery Regiment of the 35th Division, the battery under the command of, then, Capt. Harry Truman during World War I.
The scarlett background is representative of the price Americans have paid for freedom throughout history, symbolizing President Truman’s thoughts on American independence. "Freedom, in the American tradition, is always coupled with service...it still costs money. It still costs blood. "Freedom must be fought for today, just as our fathers had to fight for freedom when the nation was born."
The crossed cannons that once represented Battery D now seem to greater exemplify Truman’s leadership and dedication to service during WWI. Ironically, the cannons are French 75s, the type of cannon Battery D fired during some of the fighting in France. The swallowtail design, crossed cannons, "129" and "D" comprised the original battle flag. The original components of the battle flag are superimposed on TRUMAN’s hull number, signifying the relationship between the firepower of the past and present.
"Give ‘em hell" has become the carrier’s battle cry and is part of Truman’s legacy. The phrase was first mentioned during Truman’s 1948 re-election campaign during his 21,928-mile "whistle stop" rail tour. He delivered more than 300 speeches in 33 days to an estimated six million citizens, something no president had done before to meet the people. In Seattle, Truman was holding an enthusiastic campaign rally when someone cried, "Give ‘em hell, Harry!"
Truman later wrote, "I have never deliberately given anyone hell. I just told the truth on the opposition and they thought it was hell."
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back to top go to the end of the pageConstruction Gallery:
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back to top go to the end of the pageUSS HARRY S. TRUMAN History:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 25, 1989 | Start construction |
| Nov. 29, 1993 | Keel laid |
| Sept. 7, 1996 | Christening |
| Sept. 13, 1996 | Launch |
| January 1998 | The crew moved aboard |
| May 1998 | Acceptance trial |
| July 25, 1998 | Commissioning |
| November 28, 2000 | Left Norfolk, Va., on its maiden deployment to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf |
| February 16, 2001 | Aircraft from HARRY S. TRUMAN attacked anti-air warfare sites in Iraq as part of Operation Southern Watch |
| May 23, 2001 | Returned to Norfolk, Va. |
| July 16, 2001 - July 23, 2001 | Local operations off the east coast |
| September 2002 | COMPTUEX |
| October 28 - November 6, 2002 | JTFEX off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts |
| December 5, 2002 | Left Norfolk, Va., on its second major overseas deployment |
| May 23, 2003 | Returned to Norfolk, Va., after participation in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom |
| August 20, 2003 - February 13, 2004 | 6-month maintenance and upgrade program at Norfolk Naval Shipyard |
| October 13, 2004 - April 18, 2005 | Third major overseas deployment to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf |
| January 9 - December 20, 2006 | Naval Shipyard for Dry-docked Planned Incremental Availability |
| July 2 - 17, 2007 | COMPTUEX in the western Atlantic |
| July 26 - 31, 2007 | JTFEX 07-2 in the western Atlantic |
| November 5, 2007 - June 4, 2008 | Mediterranean and Persian Gulf deployment |
| July 2008 - February 14, 2009 | Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard |
| May 21 - December 20, 2010 | Mediterranean and Arabian Sea deployment |
| March 25, 2011 - July 7, 2012 | Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a dry-docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) |
| January 15 - February 2, 2013 | COMPTUEX in the western Atlantic |
| July 22, 2013 - April 18, 2014 | Mediterranean and Arabian Sea deployment |
back to top go to the end of the pageUSS HARRY S. TRUMAN Patch Gallery:
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USS HARRY S. TRUMAN Image Gallery:
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The photos below were taken by me and show the HARRY S. TRUMAN undergoing her Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Va., on February 3, 2009.
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The photo below was taken by me and shows the HARRY S. TRUMAN in the final stages of her 15-month dry-docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Va., on May 6, 2012. The carrier entered the shipyard on March 25, 2011.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HARRY S. TRUMAN at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., May 8, 2014.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HARRY S. TRUMAN at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., October 23, 2014.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HARRY S. TRUMAN at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va., October 12, 2016. The carrier entered the shipyard on August 25, 2016, for a 13-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). Work will include repair or replacement of shipboard nuclear support and propulsion systems; work within nuclear-controlled spaces; and work on specialized systems.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HARRY S. TRUMAN at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 4, 2017.
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The photos below were taken by me and show USS HARRY S. TRUMAN anchored in the Solent off Portsmouth, UK, on October 8, 2018. The carrier is presently operating in the North Atlantic and is scheduled to participate in the large scale NATO exercise Trident Juncture 2018 October 25 - November 7, 2018, off and in Norway.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HARRY S. TRUMAN at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va., on October 9, 2023.
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