Also known as “The Thundering Herd”, the USS COWPENS is one of Seventh Fleet’s finest ships and the epitome of the best of the 21th century United States Navy. It is manned by the most highly trained and professional crew, and is preceded by its outstanding reputation as a highly proficient warfighter. Since commissioning in March 1991, USS COWPENS has set a multitude of records, including an unprecedented run of six consecutive Battle Efficiency awards.
The USS COWPENS is named after the Revolutionary War Battle fought on January 17, 1781, at the “Cowpens,” in South Carolina. On that field of battle, Brigadier General Daniel Morgan with his experienced, yet untrained, militia and 300 Colonial soldiers commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John Eager Howard met and defeated the superior force of British Army troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Both Morgan’s knowledge of the enemy and his use of the “double envelopment” maneuver provided victory in less than an hour of battle. The victory at Cowpens, gave the American Army the courage to successfully pursue the British from South Carolina to Yorktown.
Visitors can learn about USS COWPENS by clicking on the various links in the top navigation bar. To learn about our Commanding Officer, Executive Officer or Command Master Chief, click
Biographies.
Click on Crest to learn about USS COWPENS’s namesake, The Battle of Cowpens and information about the first ship named COWPENS.
If you have been lucky enough to receive orders to USS COWPENS, click on
Welcome Aboard.
Interested in life at sea of a United States Navy Cruiser, check out our
Photos to see what’s been happening onboard.
The USS COWPENS Commanding Officer and Command Master Chief reintroduce the exceptional sailor program,
Sailor of the Week.