View source for USS South Carolina (CGN-37)

{{other ships|USS South Carolina}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2018}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:USS South Carolina CGN-37 04013712.jpg|300px|USS South Carolina seen here in 1997.]]
|Ship caption=USS ''South Carolina'' underway on 9 October 1997
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1999}}
|Ship name= ''South Carolina''
|Ship namesake=[[State of South Carolina]]
|Ship ordered=13 June 1968
|Ship builder=[[Northrop Grumman Newport News|Newport News Shipbuilding Co.]]
|Ship laid down=1 December 1970
|Ship launched= 1 July 1972
|Ship sponsor=Mrs. J. Fred Buzhardt
|Ship acquired=15 November 1974
|Ship commissioned=25 January 1975
|Ship decommissioned=30 July 1999
|Ship identification=*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: NLVQ
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Victor}}{{ICS|Quebec}}
*[[Hull number]]: CGN-37
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=30 July 1999
|Ship motto=''Prepared in mind and in resources''
|Ship badge=[[File:USS South Carolina (CGN-37) insignia 1980.png|150px]]
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=Recycling completed 10 May 2010.
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|California|cruiser}}
|Ship displacement={{convert|10500|LT|t|lk=in|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|597|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|61|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|31|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=2 × [[General Electric]] [[D2G reactor|D2G nuclear reactors]]
|Ship speed={{convert|30|kn|km/h}}+
|Ship range=
|Ship complement=40 officers and 544 enlisted
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*2 × Mk 141 [[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon missile]] launchers
*2 × [[5"/54 caliber Mark 45 gun|5-inch/54 caliber Mk 45 lightweight guns]]
*2 × 20 mm [[Phalanx CIWS]]
*1 × [[ASROC]] missile launcher
*2 × [[Mk 13 missile launcher]]s for [[RIM-66 Standard]] missiles (MR)
*[[Mark 46 torpedo]]es
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=[[Helicopter deck]] aft able to accommodate [[SH-2 Seasprite]] [[Light airborne multi-purpose system|LAMPS Mk1]], [[SH-3 Sea King]], and [[Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight|CH-46 Sea Knight]] helicopters. No hangar facility.
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''USS ''South Carolina'' (CGN-37)''' was the second ship of the {{sclass|California|cruiser|4}} of nuclear-powered [[guided missile]] [[cruisers]] in the [[United States Navy]].

USS ''South Carolina'' and her sister ship, {{USS|California|CGN-36|6}}, were equipped with two Mk-13 launchers, fore and aft, for the [[RIM-24 Tartar]] surface-to-air missiles, [[ASROC]] missiles, and [[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon]] missiles. They were equipped with two 5-inch rapid-fire cannons, fore and aft. Unlike the later {{sclass|Virginia|cruiser|2}} which had a unique arrangement aft of the superstructure, with a flight deck and a below-decks hangar for two [[Light airborne multi-purpose system|LAMPS]] helicopters, these two cruisers had only a landing pad aft and basic refuelling equipment. There was also a full suite of anti-submarine warfare equipment. Thus, these ships were designed to face all threats, in the air, on the surface, and underwater.

''South Carolina'' was sometimes referred to by her crewmembers as "The Socar" or "The Mighty Socar".

== 1970–1979 ==
''South Carolina'' was launched on 1 July 1972 and commissioned as '''DLGN-37''' on 25 January 1975. She was redesignated '''CGN-37''' six months later in the Navy's major type realignment of 30 June 1975.  ''South Carolina'' was built at [[Northrop Grumman Newport News|Newport News Shipbuilding Co.]], [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]], Virginia.
The cruiser's first North Atlantic deployment was to the {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6}} [[Carrier Battle Group|Battle Group]]. After ''South Carolina'' participated in Exercise Solid Shield in the Caribbean and completed her first Mediterranean deployment in February 1977. ''South Carolina'' in company with her [[sister ship]], {{USS|California|CGN-36|2}}, and the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Nimitz||2}} commenced a second Mediterranean deployment in November 1977 and returned to [[Norfolk, Virginia]] in July 1978.
''South Carolina'' deployed again to the [[Mediterranean]] in January 1979 with the {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|2}} Battle Group.

== 1980–1989 ==
In 1980, ''South Carolina'' deployed as part of the first Atlantic battle group to spend an entire deployment in the Indian Ocean. After a cruise to the [[Virgin Islands]] in November 1981, she was deployed in January 1982 for a six-month deployment with the carrier {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|2}}.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

In 1985, ''South Carolina'' began a new year by conducting preparatory exercises in the Caribbean. It was deployed to the Mediterranean in March and completed the deployment seven months and 46,500&nbsp;miles later. ''South Carolina'' spent the majority of the deployment on station off Lebanon, in the wake of the hijacking of [[TWA Flight 847]]. The cruiser underwent her second extended maintenance period from October 1985 to June 1986. She departed in July 1986 for a North Atlantic cruise, and made port visits to [[Wilhelmshaven]], Germany and [[Oslo]], Norway. Upon her return to Norfolk, she commenced preparations for overseas deployment and got underway on 30 December 1986 with the ''Nimitz'' Battle Group. During this deployment, ''South Carolina'' returned to her station off Lebanon when British peace emissary [[Terry Waite]] was kidnapped in [[Beirut]]. In June 1987, just months after the frigate {{USS|Stark|FFG-31|2}} was struck by Iraqi missiles, ''South Carolina'' was involved in a tense standoff with Libyan jets in the [[Gulf of Sidra]]. A major incident was averted by the use of high powered electronic warfare equipment to jam the jet's radars and Libya fired back only with diplomatic protest.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

She conducted joint exercises, entered the [[Arctic Circle]] where crew members became a member of the ''Order of the Blue Nose'', and had a port visit to [[Wilhelmshaven]], Germany. During this cruise, British [[naval historian]] [[Eric Grove]] was an honored guest of the officers and crew.  She returned home in October 1988 to make final preparations for deployment.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''South Carolina'' deployed to the Mediterranean in December 1988 with the {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2}} Battle Group. During this deployment, helicopters from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron NINE (HS-9) teamed up to rescue the fifteen British crew members from four yachts disabled by heavy weather.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/t/cvn-71/1989.pdf |title=CVN-71 Ship History 1989 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20121006213434/http%3A//www%2Ehistory%2Enavy%2Emil/shiphist/t/cvn%2D71/1989%2Epdf |archive-date= 6 October 2012 }}</ref> The crew members' rescue was broadcast on television in France, Italy and the United Kingdom, and reported worldwide in newspapers. The cruiser returned to Norfolk on 30 June 1989, and began a four-month availability at [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard]] following a one-month Caribbean visit in support of operations with the aircraft carrier {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59|2}}.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

== 1990–1998 ==
''South Carolina'' departed 5 January 1990 for Limited Team Training in [[Guantánamo Bay, Cuba|Guantanamo Bay]], Cuba. The cruiser again set sail for the Caribbean on 12 March 1990 for law enforcement operations returning on 13 April 1990 having acted as Coast Guard, COMCARIBRON [[flagship]] and making two drug interdictions. ''South Carolina'' returned to the Caribbean in July for counter narcotics operations, where she served as flagship for Commander, Joint Task Group 4 and COMCARIBRON.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''South Carolina'' departed 1 October 1990 for operations with the {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60|2}} Battle Group. Following a solo trans-Atlantic crossing, she transited the [[Suez Canal]] for the first time in her history. During [[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Operation Desert Shield]], she served as flagship for COMDESRON 24, the Maritime Interdiction Force Commander in the northern [[Red Sea]]. ''South Carolina'' conducted twenty-seven boardings during Maritime Interdiction Force operations. [[Frank B. Kelso II|Admiral Frank Kelso]], Chief of Naval Operations, visited ''South Carolina'' on station 7 November 1990.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

Upon completion of Maritime Interdiction Force operations, ''South Carolina'' was selected as the first nuclear-powered warship to visit the [[Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia. In January 1991 ''South Carolina'' participated in operations in the Central Mediterranean with the ''Theodore Roosevelt'' and {{USS|America|CV-66|2}} Battle Groups.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

The ship sortied early from [[Taranto]], in Italy 17 January 1991 at the start of [[Operation Desert Storm]]. ''South Carolina'' acted as an Anti-Air Warfare Commander for the Mediterranean, protecting operation Silver Cloud air corridors and the approaches to the Suez Canal. ''South Carolina'' acted as on-scene commander and supervised the recovery of four survivors and 29 bodies from the sinking merchant ship ''Continental Lotus''. ''South Carolina'' returned to homeport on 28 March 1991. The cruiser entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a Combat System New Threat Upgrade and refueling of both reactors and left the shipyard 30 March 1994 with a new lease on life.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

Following nuclear refueling, she participated in ''Operation Able Vigil Forces'' to assist in the rescue and transport of thousands of Cuban migrants; its crew members were awarded the [[Coast Guard Unit Commendation]].{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''South Carolina''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first post-refueling deployment was to the [[Straits of Florida]] during October and November 1994 to rescue Cuban refugees who were fleeing their homeland in hopes of reaching the United States. ''South Carolina'' commenced workups in the spring in preparations for her next major deployment.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

In the fall of 1995, she started her eleventh deployment. This cruise saw service off the coast of the former republics of [[Yugoslavia]] in support of Operations Deny Flight, Sharp Guard, and Decisive Endeavor, which was part of the overall NATO [[Operation Joint Endeavor]]. ''South Carolina'' acted as "Red Crown" and Air Warfare Commander in the Adriatic Sea, earning the [[NATO Medal]], [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]], and [[Armed Forces Service Medal]]s. ''South Carolina'' returned to homeport in the spring of 1996. ''South Carolina'' completed all unit work-up phases and began fleet operations with the {{USS|George Washington|CVN-73|2}} Battle Group in the spring of 1997. From April to June 1997 ''South Carolina'' conducted a COMPTUEX with the ''George Washington'' Battle Group coordinating and acting as Air Warfare Commander for the largest and most successful surface-to-air missile exercise in the Atlantic fleet. In August 1997, ''South Carolina'' participated in Fleetex and completed all preparations for deployment.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

In October 1997, the cruiser began its final Mediterranean cruise visiting thirteen ports of call from [[Haifa]], Israel to [[Naples]], Italy and [[Rota, Spain]]. She served as the Sixth Fleet Air Warfare Commander and participated in three major NATO exercises. The ship returned to homeport Norfolk in April 1998. Just weeks after returning from the Mediterranean, ''South Carolina'' returned to sea for six weeks of Counter [[Narcotics]] operations in the South Western Caribbean.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

The ship conducted her final port visit in [[Charleston, South Carolina]] between 10 and 14 August 1998.

== Decommissioning and memorial ==
''South Carolina'' was deactivated on 4 September 1998. The last of the crew left in July 1999, with the exception of a small contingent to escort her through the Panama Canal and to [[Bremerton, Washington]] where she entered the [[Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program]] at [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard]] on 1 October 1999. She was stricken from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on 30 July 1999, and was scrapped on 10 May 2010.{{cn|date=April 2023}} In June 2009 her bow, which is {{convert|25|ft|m}} long, {{convert|18|ft|m}} wide and {{convert|16|ft|m}} high, was placed as part of the Puget Sound Memorial Plaza.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/new-downtown-plaza-will-accent-bremertons-ties-to-naval-shipyard-ep-420994082-358158651.html |title=New Downtown Plaza Will Accent Bremerton's Ties to Naval Shipyard |work=Kitsap Sun |date=11 April 2009}}</ref> By April 2010, her nuclear reactor compartments had arrived, by barge via the [[Columbia River]], to the [[Hanford Site]] (Hanford Nuclear Reservation) for long term storage. The reactor compartment is the 122nd to be received by Hanford from ex-US Navy ships and submarines.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126038554 |title=Many Tri-City Residents Welcome Spent Navy Reactors To Hanford |work=npr.org |date=30 November 1999 |last=King |first=Anna |access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref>

== Unit awards ==

Based on the Navy Awards site, USS ''South Carolina'' (CGN-37) and the vessel's crew members have received the following awards for the specified dates of services (listed in order of precedence of the award):<ref>{{cite web |url= https://awards.navy.mil/ |website= Awards.Navy.Mil |title= Unit Query |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041014224730/https://awards.navy.mil/ |archive-date= 14 October 2004 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="2"|[[File:Surface Warfare Officer Insignia.png|150px]]
|colspan="2"|[[File:Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Insignia.png|150px]]
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Surface warfare insignia#Surface warfare officer|Surface Warfare<br>Officer Insignia]]
|colspan="2"|[[Surface warfare insignia#Enlisted surface warfare specialist|Enlisted Surface Warfare<br>Specialist Insignia]]
|}

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service star|ribbon=Coast Guard Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=10|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Special Operations Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!1st Row
|colspan="3"|[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]]<br>15 August 1990 – 12 October 1990
|-
!2nd Row
|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]<br>17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991
|[[Coast Guard Unit Commendation]]<br>19 August 1994 – 23 September 1994<br>(Operation Able Vigil Forces)
|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]]<br>(2 awards / 1 service star)<br>29 April 1980 – 10 December 1980<br>25 August 1995 – 24 February 1996
|-
!3rd Row
|[[Battle Efficiency Award]]<br>(2 awards)<br>1 January 1993 – 31 December 1993<br>1 January 1996 – 31 December 1996
|[[Navy Expeditionary Medal]]<br>29 April 1980 – 8 December 1980
|[[National Defense Service Medal]]<br>23 October 1990 - 28 March 1991
|-
!4th Row
|[[Southwest Asia Service Medal]]<br>(1 campaign star)<br>23 October 1990 – 11 December 1990
|[[Armed Forces Service Medal]]<br>(one award for five separate actions)<br>9 September 1995 - 5 February 1996
|[[Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]]<br>(11 awards / 2 silver service stars)<br>11 deployments
|-
!5th Row
|[[Special Operations Service Ribbon|Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon]]<br>(2 awards / 1 service star)<br>21 February 1990 – 25 March 1990<br>10 May 1990 – 18 June 1990
|[[NATO Medal|NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia]]<br>9 September 1995 - 5 February 1996
|[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)]]<br>23 October 1990 - 11 December 1990
|}

==See also==
*[[Nuclear powered cruisers of the United States Navy]]

==References==
{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/south-carolina-v.html}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|USS South Carolina (CGN-37)}}
*{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CGN37|title=nvr.navy.mil: ''South Carolina''}}

{{California class cruiser}}
{{US Navy nuclear cruisers}}
{{Nuclear surface ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:South Carolina (Cgn-37)}}
[[Category:California-class cruisers]]
[[Category:Ships built in Newport News, Virginia]]
[[Category:1972 ships]]
[[Category:Cold War cruisers of the United States]]
[[Category:Nuclear-powered ships of the United States Navy]]