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General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Cruise Books

About the Ship's Coat of Arms

Accidents aboard the Ship

USS Antietam History

Patch Gallery

About the Name "Antietam"

Image Gallery

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USS Antietam (CG 54)

USS ANTIETAM is the eighth ship in the TICONDEROGA - class of guided missile cruisers and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name. On January 3, 2013, the ANTIETAM left her homeport of San Diego, Calif., for Yokosuka, Japan, to relieve her sistership COWPENS (CG 63). During the hull swap, the crew of the COWPENS took over the ANTIETAM and the ANTIETAM crew sailed the COWPENS back to San Diego, Calif.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS ANTIETAM. 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 ANTIETAM memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS ANTIETAM Cruise Books:

• WestPac Cruise Book 2003
• WestPac Cruise Book 2007
• WestPac Cruise Book 2009

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

Dark blue and gold are the traditional colors associated with the Navy and symbolize the sea and excellence. The trident, symbol of sea power, represents the ANTIETAM's capabilities in the three dimensions of naval warfare: air, surface and subsurface. The broken chain symbolizes the Emancipation Proclamation, the most positive outcome of the Civil War Battle of Antietam. The red field refers to the sacrifice and heroism of the battle, the single bloodiest day of the Civil War. The Burnside Bridge is the battlefield's best known landmark. The two gold stars represent the aircraft carrier USS ANTIETAM (CVS 36) which earned two battle stars for its service in the Korean conflict.

The Crest:

The serpent has a fourfold meaning: it was on the first Navy Jack; its wavy shape, movements and tongue allude to the new sensor systems (AN/SQQ-89, SLQ-32(V)3, SPY-1, CCSS, LAMPS MK III) on the ANTIETAM; it is similar to the copperhead found in the State of Maryland, site of the Civil War battle; its striking position reinforces the quick striking capabilities of ANTIETAM. The parrot guns with the modern missile represent the continuity in ordnance. The upright position of the missile also suggests the vertically-launched cruise missile capability of the cruiser. The gold laurel wreath is symbolic of the ANTIETAM's excellence in accomplishing its mission.

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Accidents aboard USS ANTIETAM:

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History of USS ANTIETAM:

Today's ANTIETAM was commissioned on 6 June 1987 in Baltimore, Maryland. Following its commissioning, the cruiser steamed through the Panama Canal to its first homeport in Long Beach, California.

ANTIETAM's first deployment, beginning September 1988, took the ship to the Arabian Gulf for Kuwaiti tanker escort operations as part of Operation EARNEST WILL. Following the first full 18-month competitive cycle, ANTIETAM was awarded the Battle "E", eight of nine departmental excellence awards, and the LAMPS MK III Safety Award.

The ship's second deployment in June 1990, scheduled for Pacific operations, was cut short by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. ANTIETAM entered the Arabian Gulf on 6 August, assuming duties as anti-air warfare commander for Middle East Force during the turbulent early days of Operation DESERT SHIELD.

For the success of its second deployment, ANTIETAM was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Southwest Asia Defense Medal. ANTIETAM returned to the United States where it received another Battle "E", nine of nine departmental excellence awards, and the Spokane Trophy for Combat Systems Excellence.

In January 1992, ANTIETAM again deployed to the Western Pacific for a series of bilateral exercises with allied forces from Japan, Singapore, and Brunei. The ship visited ten cities in eight different countries.

After winning the Navy-wide 1993 Captain Edward F. Ney Award for Food Service Excellence, ANTIETAM departed in February 1994 on its fourth deployment, once again to the Arabian Gulf. The ship earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal for participation in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, enforcing the United Nations-mandated no-fly zone over Iraq.

After returning from deployment, ANTIETAM completed her first regular overhaul in Long Beach, and in late 1995, she switched homeports to San Diego, California. She was awarded the Battle "E" and four of four area awards for the 1995 competitive cycle. In May and June 1996, ANTIETAM participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC-96) Exercise, which included numerous U.S. and foreign naval units in the largest naval exercise ever.

In April 1997, ANTIETAM returned from the Arabian Gulf, completing her fifth deployment, this time with the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group. She participated in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and VIGILENT SENTINEL, and conducted exercises with the English, French, and South Korean Navies. The ship again won four of four area excellence awards including a fleet-leading eight consecutive red Engineering "E" for excellence. In the middle of 1997, ANTIETAM received the Chief of Naval Operation's Safety Award for Pacific Fleet Cruisers. During June 1998, ANTIETAM participated in a second Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise. Later that year she deployed for the sixth time to the Western Pacific, making port calls in Singapore, Thailand, Bahrain, The United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Australia before returning home to San Diego in May 1999.

In May of 2000, ANTIETAM participated in a Counter-Narcotics deployment aimed at stemming the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. The highly successful four-month deployment set new standards for counter drug operations and provided the crew with port visits to Mazatlan, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas. Upon returning to San Diego, ANTIETAM was again awarded the Battle "E" for excellence and began work-ups for her seventh Western Pacific deployment in July 2001.

In February 2001, ANTIETAM underwent the three-week long intensive pre-deployment workup COMPTUEX. COMPTUEX represented the first time that ANTIETAM operated with the other ships in the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) battle group with which she would be deploying. In April, ANTIETAM went through INSURV and successfully completed both the underway portion and the open and inspect phase. The inspection is a comprehensive review mandated by Congress to ensure that all Navy ships are properly maintained. It also serves to identify any problems that could limit a ship's ability to continue in service for the length of its intended life span.

In May, ANTIETAM took part in the JTFX exercise along the CARL VINSON battle group. It deployed with that Battle Group on 26 July. The first stop of the deployment was Lualualei, Hawaii, home of Pearl Harbor's Naval Magazine where ANTIETAM completed her ammunition onload with the addition of Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles. Following this, ANTIETAM proceeded to Singapore and then to Phuket, Thailand. On the way to Singapore, ANTIETAM participated in a PASSEX with the Royal Singaporean Navy.

ANTIETAM was transitting with the CARL VINSON battle group to the Arabian Gulf when the 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States took place. The battle group immediately took station in the North Arabian Sea, prepared for action. On 15 September, ANTIETAM and USS O'KANE (DDG 77) were detached to transit through the Strait of Hormuz to conduct Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the North Arabian Gulf, enforcing United Nations sanctions imposed on Iraq. ANTIETAM's two Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams inspected over 125 vessels for contraband oil and other cargo entering or leaving Iraq.

ANTIETAM was designated to provide air defense for the annual meeting of the World Trade Organization held in Quatar in November. During this time, ANTIETAM operated in a Modified Location box with the PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group.

ANTIETAM was detached to proceed to Mumbai, India on 17 November, 2001. During the transit through the Strait of Hormuz ANTIETAM was turned around to assist with the Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts as a result of the loss of two crewmembers from USS PETERSON (DD 969). On 15 December ANTIETAM and O'KANE pulled into Mumbai, India. The port visit was a significant public relations event and received a great deal of positive media coverage in India. ANTIETAM departed India and proceeded to Singapore on 18 December, on her route home.

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USS ANTIETAM Patch Gallery:

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About the Cruiser’s Name, about the Battle of Antietam:

In naming this cruiser ANTIETAM, the U. S. Navy commemorates a site along Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, at which a major Civil War battle was fought. ANTIETAM is the third American warship named in remembrance of this battle.

The Battle of Antietam, on 17 September 1862, climaxed the first of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's two attempts to carry the war from the South into the North. Some 41,000 Southerners were pitted against the 87,000-man Federal Army of the Potomac under General George B. McClellan.

After his great victory at Manassas in August, Lee had marched his Army of Northern Virginia into western Maryland, hoping to find vitally needed men and supplies. McClellan moved his army westward to cut off Lee and protect Washington and Baltimore from being separated. McClellan followed Lee, first to Frederick, where through rare good fortune, a copy of Lee's battle plan fell into his hands, then westward twelve miles to the passes of South Mountain. There, on 14 September, Lee tried to block the Union troops. McClellan forced his way through the out-manned Southern ranks. Over the next two days, new battle lines were drawn west and east of Antietam Creek. The battle opened at dawn on the 17th and moved to three different locations throughout the day.

More Americans were killed or wounded in the Battle of Antietam than on any other single day in American history. Federal losses were 12,410 and Confederate losses were 10,700. Although neither side gained a decisive victory, Lee's failure to carry the war effort effectively into the North caused Great Britain to postpone recognition of the Confederate government. The battle also gave President Abraham Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

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USS ANTIETAM Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by William Chiu when ANTIETAM visited Hong Kong on November 16, 1990.

The photo below was taken by Karl-Heinz Ahles and shows USS ANTIETAM at Naval Base San Diego, Ca., in October 1997.

The photos below were taken by Michael Nebel and show USS ANTIETAM departing Naval Base San Diego, Ca., in 1998.

The photo below was taken by Ian Johnson and shows USS ANTIETAM at Fremantle, Australia, on July 11, 2003. At the time, she was assigned to the CARL VINSON (CVN 70) Strike Group.

The photo below was taken by Brian Barton and shows the ANTIETAM at Naval Base San Diego on December 6, 2003. The ship next to the ANTIETAM is the amphibious assault ship USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3).

The photos below were taken by Charles Barton during USS ANTIETAM's 2005 World Cruise.

at Valetta, Malta July 13, 2005

at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico August 16, 2005

at San Diego, Calif. August 19, 2005

The photos below were taken by me and show the ANTIETAM at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 10, 2008.

The photos below were taken by me and show the ANTIETAM dry-docked at the BAE Shipyard at San Diego, Calif., on March 23, 2010.

The photos below were taken by me and show the ANTIETAM at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on September 30, 2011, a few days before getting underway for San Francisco to participate in the city's Fleet Week celebrations.

The photos below were taken by me and show the ANTIETAM arriving at San Francisco, Calif., during the parade of ships as part of the city's Fleet Week celebrations. The photos were taken on October 8, 2011.

The photos below were taken by me on October 10, 2011, during an open house aboard USS ANTIETAM as part of Fleet Week San Francisco.

			Click here for more photos.

The photos below were taken by me and show the ANTIETAM drydocked at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif., on March 15, 2012.

The photos below were taken by me and show the ANTIETAM still drydocked at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif., on May 10, 2012.

The photos below were taken by me and show the ANTIETAM returning to San Diego, Calif., on October 5, 2012.

The photos below were taken by me and show the ANTIETAM departing Naval Base San Diego, Calif., early in the morning on October 10, 2012.

The photos below were taken by Shiu On Yee during USS ANTIETAM's port visit to Hong Kong November 8 - 12, 2013, while the ship was assigned to the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) Strike Group. The port visit was cut short when the ships were ordered to proceed to the Philippines to provide disaster relief in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

			Click here for more photos.

The photos below were taken by Shiu On Yee during USS ANTIETAM's port visit to Hong Kong June 16 - 20, 2014, while the ship was assigned to the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) Strike Group.

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The photos below were taken by Shiu On Yee and show the ANTIETAM during her port visit to Hong Kong on April 3 - 6, 2015.

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