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{{short description|Independence-class light aircraft carrier of the US Navy}}
{{other ships|USS Cowpens}}
{{other ships|USS Cowpens}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}


{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:USS Cowpens (CVL-25) at sea on 31 August 1944.jpg|300px|USS Cowpens]]
| Ship image = USS Cowpens (CVL-25) at sea on 31 August 1944.jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''Cowpens'' underway
| Ship caption = USS ''Cowpens'', with sister ship {{USS|Independence|CVL-22|6}} in distance, August 1944
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
| Hide header =
|Ship country=United States
| Ship country = United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1947}}
| Ship flag = {{USN flag|1947}}
|Ship name=
| Ship name = ''Cowpens''
|Ship namesake=
| Ship namesake = [[Battle of Cowpens]]
|Ship owner=
| Ship ordered =
|Ship operator=
| Ship awarded =
⚫
| Ship builder = [[New York Shipbuilding Corporation]]
⚫
|Ship registry=
|Ship route=
| Ship original cost =
|Ship ordered=
| Ship yard number =
|Ship awarded=
| Ship way number =
⚫
| Ship laid down = *17 November 1941
⚫
|Ship builder=[[New York Shipbuilding Corporation]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=
|Ship way number=
⚫
|Ship laid down=*17 November 1941
*(as {{sclass|Cleveland|cruiser|0}} [[light cruiser]] USS ''Huntington'' (CL-77))
*(as {{sclass|Cleveland|cruiser|0}} [[light cruiser]] USS ''Huntington'' (CL-77))
|Ship launched=17 January 1943
| Ship launched = 17 January 1943
|Ship sponsor=
| Ship sponsor =
|Ship christened=
| Ship christened =
|Ship completed=
| Ship completed =
|Ship acquired=
| Ship acquired =
|Ship commissioned=28 May 1943
| Ship commissioned = 28 May 1943
|Ship recommissioned=
| Ship recommissioned =
|Ship decommissioned=13 January 1947
| Ship decommissioned = 13 January 1947
|Ship maiden voyage=
| Ship maiden voyage =
|Ship in service=
| Ship in service =
|Ship out of service=
| Ship out of service =
|Ship renamed=
| Ship renamed =
|Ship reclassified=15 May 1959 (as AVT-1, while in reserve)
| Ship reclassified = 15 May 1959 (as AVT-1, while in reserve)
|Ship refit=
| Ship refit =
|Ship struck=
| Ship struck =
|Ship reinstated=
| Ship reinstated =
|Ship homeport=
| Ship homeport =
|Ship identification=
| Ship identification = [[Hull classification symbol|Hull number]] CVL-25
|Ship motto=
| Ship motto =
|Ship nickname=The Mighty Moo
| Ship nickname = The Mighty Moo
⚫
| Ship honors = Navy Unit Commendation, 12 Battle Stars
⚫
|Ship honours=
⚫
| Ship captured =
⚫
|Ship honors=Navy Unit Commendation, 12 Battle Stars
⚫
| Ship fate = 1 November 1959 Stricken from Navy List. Sold for scrap in 1960.
⚫
|Ship captured=
⚫
| Ship notes = *Reordered March 1942
⚫
|Ship fate=1 November 1959 Stricken from Navy List. Sold for scrap in 1960.
|Ship status=
⚫
|Ship notes=*Reordered March 1942
*(as aircraft carrier USS ''Cowpens'' (CV-25))
*(as aircraft carrier USS ''Cowpens'' (CV-25))
|Ship badge=
| Ship badge =
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
| Hide header =
|Header caption=
| Header caption =
|Ship class=
| Ship class =
|Ship type=
| Ship displacement = 11,000 tons
⚫
| Ship length = {{convert|622.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship displacement=11,000 tons
⚫
| Ship beam = * {{convert|71.5|ft|m|abbr=on}} (waterline)
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|622.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
* {{cvt|109|ft|2|in|m}} (overall)
⚫
| Ship height =
⚫
|Ship beam={{convert|71.5|ft|m|abbr=on}} (waterline), 109 ft 2 in (33.3 m) (overall)
| Ship draft = {{convert|26|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
⚫
| Ship depth =
⚫
|Ship draft={{convert|26|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth=
| Ship hold depth =
|Ship hold depth=
| Ship power =
|Ship decks=
| Ship propulsion =
|Ship deck clearance=
| Ship speed = {{convert|32|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship ramps=
| Ship range =
| Ship complement = 1,569 officers and men
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=
| Ship sensors =
|Ship speed=32 [[Knot (unit)|knot]]s
| Ship EW =
⚫
| Ship armament = 26 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors 40 mm gun]]s
|Ship range=
⚫
| Ship armor = 1.5 in-5 in belt, 3 in main deck, 0.38 in bridge
|Ship boats=
⚫
| Ship aircraft = Grumman [[F6F Hellcat]], [[TBF Avenger]]
|Ship capacity=
|Ship complement=1,569 officers and men
| Ship aircraft facilities =
|Ship crew=
| Ship notes =
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
⚫
|Ship armament=26 × [[Bofors 40 mm gun]]s
⚫
|Ship armor=1.5 in-5 in belt, 3 in main deck, 0.38 in bridge
⚫
|Ship aircraft=Grumman [[F6F Hellcat]]
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''USS ''Cowpens'' (CV-25/CVL-25/AVT-1)''', nicknamed ''The Mighty Moo'', was an 11,000-ton [[Independence-class aircraft carrier|Independence class]] [[light aircraft carrier]] that served the [[United States Navy]] from 1943 to 1947.
'''USS ''Cowpens'' (CV-25/CVL-25/AVT-1)''', nicknamed ''The Mighty Moo'', was an 11,000-ton {{sclass|Independence|aircraft carrier|0}} [[light aircraft carrier]] that served the [[United States Navy]] from 1943 to 1947.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p203</ref>


''Cowpens'', named for the [[Battle of Cowpens]] of the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], was launched on 17 January 1943 at the [[New York Shipbuilding Corporation]], in [[Camden, New Jersey]], sponsored by Mrs. M. H. Spruance (daughter of [[Fleet Admiral]] [[William F. Halsey, Jr.]]) and commissioned on 28 May 1943 by Captain [[R. P. McConnell]]. She was reclassified '''CVL-25''' on 15 July 1943. ''Cowpens'' completed her active service at the end of 1946.
''Cowpens'', named for the [[Battle of Cowpens]] of the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], was launched on 17 January 1943 at the [[New York Shipbuilding Corporation]], in [[Camden, New Jersey]], sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Bradford Spruance (née Halsey, daughter of [[Fleet admiral (United States)|Fleet Admiral]] [[William F. Halsey Jr.]]) and commissioned on 28 May 1943 by [[Captain (United States O-6)#U.S. Navy|Captain]] R. P. McConnell. She was reclassified '''CVL-25''' on 15 July 1943. ''Cowpens'' completed her active service at the end of 1946.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p203</ref>


==Service history==
==Service history==
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====1943====
====1943====
Departing [[Philadelphia]], on 29 August 1943, ''Cowpens'' arrived at [[Pearl Harbor]] on 19 September to begin the active and distinguished war career which was to earn her a [[Navy Unit Commendation]]. She sailed with [[Task Force 14]] for the strike on [[Wake Island]] on 5–6 October, then returned to Pearl Harbor to prepare for strikes on the [[Marshall Islands]] preliminary to invasion. She sortied from Pearl Harbor 10 November to launch air strikes on [[Mili Atoll|Mille]] and [[Makin (islands)|Makin]] atolls from 19 to 24 November, and [[Kwajalein]] and [[Wotje]] on 4 December, returning to her base on 9 December.
Departing [[Philadelphia Naval Shipyard#20th century|Philadelphia]], on 29 August 1943, ''Cowpens'' arrived at [[Naval Station Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]] on 19 September to begin the active and distinguished war career which was to earn her a [[Navy Unit Commendation]]. She sailed with [[Task Force 14]] for the strike on [[Wake Island#Japanese occupation, US air raids, and the POW massacre|Wake Island]] on 5–6 October, then returned to Pearl Harbor to prepare for strikes on the [[Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign#Marshalls|Marshall Islands]] preliminary to invasion. The ship was slightly damaged on 18 October in a collision with the destroyer {{USS|Abbot|DD-629}} while patrolling near Hawaii. ''Abbot'' was much more heavily damaged, requiring three months to repair at Pearl Harbor. ''Cowpens'' sortied from Pearl Harbor 10 November to launch air strikes on [[Mili Atoll#World War II|Mille]] and [[Makin (islands)#World War II|Makin]] atolls from 19 to 24 November, and [[Battle of Kwajalein#US planning and preparation|Kwajalein]] and [[Wotje#History|Wotje]] on 4 December, returning to her base on 9 December.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p204</ref>


====1944====
====1944====
Joining [[Fast Carrier Task Force|Task Force 58]], ''Cowpens'' sailed from Pearl Harbor on 16 January 1944 for the invasion of the Marshalls. Her planes pounded Kwajalein and [[Eniwetok]] the last 3 days of the month to prepare for the assault landing on 31 January. Using [[Majuro]] as a base, the force struck at [[Chuuk Lagoon|Truk]] on 16–17 February and the [[Mariana Islands]] on 21–22 February before putting in to Pearl Harbor on 4 March. Returning to Majuro, Task Force 58 based here for attacks on the western [[Caroline Islands|Carolines]]; ''Cowpens'' supplied air and antisubmarine patrols during the raids on [[Palau]], [[Yap]], [[Ulithi]], and [[Woleai]] from 30 March to 1 April. After operating off New Guinea during the invasion of [[Jayapura|Hollandia]] from 21 to 28 April, ''Cowpens'' took part in the strikes on Truk, [[Satawan]] and [[Pohnpei|Ponape]] from 29 April to 1 May, returning to Majuro on 14 May for training.
Joining [[Fast Carrier Task Force|Task Force 58]], ''Cowpens'' sailed from Pearl Harbor on 16 January 1944 for the invasion of the Marshalls. Her planes pounded Kwajalein and [[Eniwetok]] the last three days of the month to prepare for the assault landing on 31 January. Using [[Majuro]] as a base, the force struck at [[Chuuk Lagoon|Truk]] on 16–17 February and the [[Mariana Islands]] on 21–22 February before putting into Pearl Harbor on 4 March. Returning to Majuro, Task Force 58 based here for attacks on the western [[Caroline Islands|Carolines]]; ''Cowpens'' supplied air and antisubmarine patrols during the raids on [[Palau]], [[Yap]], [[Ulithi]], and [[Woleai]] from 30 March to 1 April. After operating off New Guinea during the invasion of [[Jayapura|Hollandia]] from 21 to 28 April, ''Cowpens'' took part in the strikes on Truk, [[Satawan]] and [[Pohnpei|Ponape]] from 29 April to 1 May, returning to Majuro on 14 May for training.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p205</ref>


From 6 June to 10 July 1944, ''Cowpens'' operated in the Marianas operation. Her planes struck the island of [[Saipan]] to aid the assault troops, and made supporting raids on [[Iwo Jima]], [[Pagan Island]], [[Rota (island)|Rota]], and [[Guam]]. They also took part in the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]] on 19–20 June, accounting for a number of the huge tally of enemy planes downed. After a brief overhaul at Pearl Harbor, ''Cowpens'' rejoined the fast carrier task force at Eniwetok on 17 August. Then, on 29 August, she sailed for the pre-invasion strikes on the Palaus, whose assault was an essential preliminary for the return to the [[Philippines]]. From 13 to 17 September, she was detached from the force to cover the landings on [[Morotai]], then rejoined it for sweep, patrol, and attack missions against [[Luzon]] from 21 to 24 September. ''Cowpens'', with her task group, sent air strikes to neutralize Japanese bases on [[Okinawa]] and [[Taiwan|Formosa]] from 10 to 14 October, and when {{USS|Canberra|CA-70|2}} and {{USS|Houston|CL-81|2}} were hit by torpedoes, ''Cowpens'' provided air cover for their safe withdrawal, rejoining her task group on 20 October. En route to Ulithi, she was recalled when the Japanese Fleet threatened the [[Leyte (island)|Leyte]] invasion, and during the [[Battle of Surigao Strait]] phase of the decisive [[Battle for Leyte Gulf]] on 25–26 October, provided combat air patrol for the ships pursuing the fleeing remnant of the Japanese fleet. Continuing her support of the Philippines advance, ''Cowpens''' planes struck Luzon repeatedly during December. During the disastrous [[Typhoon Cobra (1944)|Typhoon Cobra]] on 18 December, ''Cowpens'' lost a man: ship's air officer [[Lieutenant Commander]] Robert Price, several planes, and some equipment, but skillful work by her crew prevented major damage, and she reached Ulithi safely on 21 December to repair her storm damage.
From 6 June to 10 July 1944, ''Cowpens'' operated in the Marianas operation. Her planes struck the island of [[Saipan]] to aid the assault troops, and made supporting raids on [[Iwo Jima]], [[Pagan Island]], [[Rota (island)|Rota]], and [[Guam]]. They also took part in the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]] on 19–20 June, accounting for a number of the huge tally of enemy planes downed. After a brief overhaul at Pearl Harbor, ''Cowpens'' rejoined the fast carrier task force at Eniwetok on 17 August. Then, on 29 August, she sailed for the pre-invasion strikes on the Palaus, whose assault was an essential preliminary for the return to the [[Philippines]]. From 13 to 17 September, she was detached from the force to cover the landings on [[Morotai]], then rejoined it for sweep, patrol, and attack missions against [[Luzon]] from 21 to 24 September.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p205</ref>
''Cowpens'', with her task group, sent air strikes to neutralize Japanese bases on [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] and [[Taiwan|Formosa]] from 10 to 14 October, and when {{USS|Canberra|CA-70|2}} and {{USS|Houston|CL-81|2}} were hit by torpedoes, ''Cowpens'' provided air cover for their safe withdrawal, rejoining her task group on 20 October. En route to Ulithi, she was recalled when the Japanese Fleet threatened the [[Leyte (island)|Leyte]] invasion, and during the [[Battle of Surigao Strait]] phase of the decisive [[Battle for Leyte Gulf]] on 25–26 October, provided combat air patrol for the ships pursuing the fleeing remnant of the Japanese fleet. Continuing her support of the Philippines advance, ''Cowpens''' planes struck Luzon repeatedly during December. During the disastrous [[Typhoon Cobra (1944)|Typhoon Cobra]] on 18 December, ''Cowpens'' lost a man: ship's air officer [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|Lieutenant Commander]] Robert Price, several planes, and some equipment, but skillful work by her crew prevented major damage, and she reached Ulithi safely on 21 December to repair her storm damage.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p206</ref>


====1945====
====1945====
[[File:CVL-25 1945.jpg|250 px|thumb|USS ''Cowpens'' in 1945]]
[[File:USS Cowpens (CVL-25) underway at sea in 1945 (80-G-468977).jpg|thumb|USS ''Cowpens'' in 1945]]
From 30 December 1944 to 26 January 1945, ''Cowpens'' was at sea for the [[Lingayen Gulf]] landings. Her planes struck targets on Formosa, Luzon, the [[Indochina|Indochinese coast]] and the Hong Kong-[[Guangzhou|Canton]] area and Okinawa during January. On 10 February, ''Cowpens'' sortied from Ulithi for the Iwo Jima operation, striking the Tokyo area, supporting the initial landings from 19 to 22 February, and hitting Okinawa on 1 March.
From 30 December 1944 to 26 January 1945, ''Cowpens'' was at sea for the [[Lingayen Gulf]] landings. Her planes struck targets on Formosa, Luzon, the [[Indochina|Indochinese coast]] and the Hong Kong-[[Guangzhou|Canton]] area and Okinawa during January. On 10 February, ''Cowpens'' sortied from Ulithi for the Iwo Jima operation, striking the Tokyo area, supporting the initial landings from 19 to 22 February, and hitting Okinawa on 1 March.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p206</ref>


On 13 June, following an overhaul at San Francisco and training at Pearl Harbor, ''Cowpens'' sailed on for [[San Pedro Bay (Philippines)|San Pedro Bay]], Leyte. Along the way she struck Wake Island on 20 June. Rejoining Task Force 58, ''Cowpens'' sailed from San Pedro Bay on 1 July to join in the final raids on the Japanese mainland. Her planes pounded Tokyo, [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], and other cities of [[Hokkaidō]] and [[Honshū]] until 15 August. ''Cowpens'' was the first American carrier to enter Tokyo Harbor. Remaining off Tokyo Bay until the occupation landings began on 30 August, ''Cowpens'' launched photographic reconnaissance missions to patrol airfields and shipping movements, and to locate and supply prisoner-of-war camps. Men from ''Cowpens'' were the first Americans to set foot on the Japanese mainland, and were largely responsible for the emergency activation of Yokosuka airfield for Allied use and the liberation of a POW camp near Niigata. From 8 November 1945 to 28 January 1946 ''Cowpens'' made two voyages to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Okinawa to return veterans on [[Operation Magic Carpet|"Magic Carpet"]] runs.
On 13 June, following an overhaul at San Francisco and training at Pearl Harbor, ''Cowpens'' sailed on for [[San Pedro Bay (Philippines)|San Pedro Bay]], Leyte. Along the way she struck Wake Island on 20 June. Rejoining Task Force 58, ''Cowpens'' sailed from San Pedro Bay on 1 July to join in the final raids on the Japanese mainland. Her planes pounded Tokyo, [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], and other cities of [[Hokkaidō]] and [[Honshū]] until 15 August. ''Cowpens'' was the first American carrier to enter Tokyo Harbor. Remaining off Tokyo Bay until the occupation landings began on 30 August, ''Cowpens'' launched photographic reconnaissance missions to patrol airfields and shipping movements, and to locate and supply prisoner-of-war camps. Men from ''Cowpens'' were the first Americans to set foot on the Japanese mainland, and were largely responsible for the emergency activation of Yokosuka airfield for Allied use and the liberation of a POW camp near Niigata. From 8 November 1945 to 28 January 1946 ''Cowpens'' made two voyages to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Okinawa to return veterans on [[Operation Magic Carpet|"Magic Carpet"]] runs.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p206</ref>


===Post-War===
===Post-war===
On 3 December 1946, ''Cowpens'' was placed in commission reserve at Mare Island. On 15 May 1959, she was reclassified as an aircraft transport, with a new hull number, '''AVT-1'''. Then, on 1 November, she was stricken from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] and sold for scrap.
On 3 December 1946, ''Cowpens'' was placed in commission reserve at Mare Island. On 15 May 1959, she was reclassified as an aircraft transport, with a new hull number, '''AVT-1'''. Then, on 1 November, she was stricken from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] and sold for scrap.<ref>Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p207</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery widths=180>
Image:Uss cowpens carrier.jpg|USS ''Cowpens''
Image:USS Cowpens (CVL-25) underway at sea on 17 July 1943 (80-G-K-74271).jpg|USS ''Cowpens''
Image:USS Cowpens (CVL-25) during Typhoon Cobra.jpg|Deck of the ''Cowpens'' during [[Typhoon Cobra]]
Image:USS Cowpens (CVL-25) during Typhoon Cobra.jpg|Deck of the ''Cowpens'' during [[Typhoon Cobra]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{No footnotes|date=September 2008}}
{{Reflist}}
{{More footnotes|date=September 2008}}
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c15/cowpens.htm}}
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c15/cowpens.htm}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|USS Cowpens (CVL-25)}}
{{Commons category|USS Cowpens (CVL-25)}}
*[http://www.ninesisters.com/cowpens.htm USS ''Cowpens''] at Nine Sisters Light Carrier Historical Documentary Project
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070629113448/http://www.ninesisters.com/cowpens.htm USS ''Cowpens''] at Nine Sisters Light Carrier Historical Documentary Project
*[http://www.cowpensvets.org/ USS ''Cowpens'' Veterans] Veterans web site for CVL-25 and CG-63
*[http://www.cowpensvets.org/ USS ''Cowpens'' Veterans] Veterans web site for CVL-25 and CG-63
*[http://www.cowpensmightymoo.com/ The Mighty Moo Festival] Official web site of The Mighty Moo Festival
*[http://www.cowpensmightymoo.com/ The Mighty Moo Festival] Official web site of The Mighty Moo Festival
*[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=19441201&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Hellcat accident On USS Cowpens The Pittsburgh Press 1 December 1944 p. 2]

<!-- non-breaking space to keep AWB drones from altering the space before the navbox-->

{{Cleveland class cruiser}}
{{Cleveland class cruiser}}
{{Independence class aircraft carrier}}
{{Independence class aircraft carrier}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Coord|7.250|N|151.250|E|display=title|source:dewiki}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowpens (CVL-25)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowpens (CVL-25)}}
[[Category:Independence-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Independence-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Ships built in Camden, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Ships built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation]]
[[Category:1943 ships]]
[[Category:1943 ships]]
[[Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:United States Navy South Carolina-related ships]]

Latest revision as of 21:07, 8 October 2024

For other ships with the same name, see USS Cowpens.

USS Cowpens, with sister ship USS Independence in distance, August 1944
History
United States
NameCowpens
NamesakeBattle of Cowpens
BuilderNew York Shipbuilding Corporation
Laid down
Launched17 January 1943
Commissioned28 May 1943
Decommissioned13 January 1947
Reclassified15 May 1959 (as AVT-1, while in reserve)
IdentificationHull number CVL-25
Nickname(s)The Mighty Moo
Honors and
awards		Navy Unit Commendation, 12 Battle Stars
Fate1 November 1959 Stricken from Navy List. Sold for scrap in 1960.
Notes
  • Reordered March 1942
  • (as aircraft carrier USS Cowpens (CV-25))
General characteristics
Displacement11,000 tons
Length622.5 ft (189.7 m)
Beam
  • 71.5 ft (21.8 m) (waterline)
  • 109 ft 2 in (33.27 m) (overall)
Draft26 ft (7.9 m)
Speed32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph)
Complement1,569 officers and men
Armament26 × Bofors 40 mm guns
Armor1.5 in-5 in belt, 3 in main deck, 0.38 in bridge
Aircraft carriedGrumman F6F Hellcat, TBF Avenger

USS Cowpens (CV-25/CVL-25/AVT-1), nicknamed The Mighty Moo, was an 11,000-ton Independence-class light aircraft carrier that served the United States Navy from 1943 to 1947.[1]

Cowpens, named for the Battle of Cowpens of the Revolutionary War, was launched on 17 January 1943 at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, in Camden, New Jersey, sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Bradford Spruance (née Halsey, daughter of Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) and commissioned on 28 May 1943 by Captain R. P. McConnell. She was reclassified CVL-25 on 15 July 1943. Cowpens completed her active service at the end of 1946.[2]

Service history

[edit]

World War II

[edit]

1943

[edit]

Departing Philadelphia, on 29 August 1943, Cowpens arrived at Pearl Harbor on 19 September to begin the active and distinguished war career which was to earn her a Navy Unit Commendation. She sailed with Task Force 14 for the strike on Wake Island on 5–6 October, then returned to Pearl Harbor to prepare for strikes on the Marshall Islands preliminary to invasion. The ship was slightly damaged on 18 October in a collision with the destroyer USS Abbot (DD-629) while patrolling near Hawaii. Abbot was much more heavily damaged, requiring three months to repair at Pearl Harbor. Cowpens sortied from Pearl Harbor 10 November to launch air strikes on Mille and Makin atolls from 19 to 24 November, and Kwajalein and Wotje on 4 December, returning to her base on 9 December.[3]

1944

[edit]

Joining Task Force 58, Cowpens sailed from Pearl Harbor on 16 January 1944 for the invasion of the Marshalls. Her planes pounded Kwajalein and Eniwetok the last three days of the month to prepare for the assault landing on 31 January. Using Majuro as a base, the force struck at Truk on 16–17 February and the Mariana Islands on 21–22 February before putting into Pearl Harbor on 4 March. Returning to Majuro, Task Force 58 based here for attacks on the western Carolines; Cowpens supplied air and antisubmarine patrols during the raids on Palau, Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai from 30 March to 1 April. After operating off New Guinea during the invasion of Hollandia from 21 to 28 April, Cowpens took part in the strikes on Truk, Satawan and Ponape from 29 April to 1 May, returning to Majuro on 14 May for training.[4]

From 6 June to 10 July 1944, Cowpens operated in the Marianas operation. Her planes struck the island of Saipan to aid the assault troops, and made supporting raids on Iwo Jima, Pagan Island, Rota, and Guam. They also took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19–20 June, accounting for a number of the huge tally of enemy planes downed. After a brief overhaul at Pearl Harbor, Cowpens rejoined the fast carrier task force at Eniwetok on 17 August. Then, on 29 August, she sailed for the pre-invasion strikes on the Palaus, whose assault was an essential preliminary for the return to the Philippines. From 13 to 17 September, she was detached from the force to cover the landings on Morotai, then rejoined it for sweep, patrol, and attack missions against Luzon from 21 to 24 September.[5]

Cowpens, with her task group, sent air strikes to neutralize Japanese bases on Okinawa and Formosa from 10 to 14 October, and when Canberra and Houston were hit by torpedoes, Cowpens provided air cover for their safe withdrawal, rejoining her task group on 20 October. En route to Ulithi, she was recalled when the Japanese Fleet threatened the Leyte invasion, and during the Battle of Surigao Strait phase of the decisive Battle for Leyte Gulf on 25–26 October, provided combat air patrol for the ships pursuing the fleeing remnant of the Japanese fleet. Continuing her support of the Philippines advance, Cowpens' planes struck Luzon repeatedly during December. During the disastrous Typhoon Cobra on 18 December, Cowpens lost a man: ship's air officer Lieutenant Commander Robert Price, several planes, and some equipment, but skillful work by her crew prevented major damage, and she reached Ulithi safely on 21 December to repair her storm damage.[6]

1945

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USS Cowpens in 1945

From 30 December 1944 to 26 January 1945, Cowpens was at sea for the Lingayen Gulf landings. Her planes struck targets on Formosa, Luzon, the Indochinese coast and the Hong Kong-Canton area and Okinawa during January. On 10 February, Cowpens sortied from Ulithi for the Iwo Jima operation, striking the Tokyo area, supporting the initial landings from 19 to 22 February, and hitting Okinawa on 1 March.[7]

On 13 June, following an overhaul at San Francisco and training at Pearl Harbor, Cowpens sailed on for San Pedro Bay, Leyte. Along the way she struck Wake Island on 20 June. Rejoining Task Force 58, Cowpens sailed from San Pedro Bay on 1 July to join in the final raids on the Japanese mainland. Her planes pounded Tokyo, Kure, and other cities of Hokkaidō and Honshū until 15 August. Cowpens was the first American carrier to enter Tokyo Harbor. Remaining off Tokyo Bay until the occupation landings began on 30 August, Cowpens launched photographic reconnaissance missions to patrol airfields and shipping movements, and to locate and supply prisoner-of-war camps. Men from Cowpens were the first Americans to set foot on the Japanese mainland, and were largely responsible for the emergency activation of Yokosuka airfield for Allied use and the liberation of a POW camp near Niigata. From 8 November 1945 to 28 January 1946 Cowpens made two voyages to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Okinawa to return veterans on "Magic Carpet" runs.[8]

Post-war

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On 3 December 1946, Cowpens was placed in commission reserve at Mare Island. On 15 May 1959, she was reclassified as an aircraft transport, with a new hull number, AVT-1. Then, on 1 November, she was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and sold for scrap.[9]

Awards

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In addition to her Navy Unit Commendation, Cowpens received 12 battle stars for World War II service.

Commemoration

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Each year, the town of Cowpens, South Carolina, holds a 4-day festival honoring veterans of Cowpens. "The Mighty Moo Festival" was first held in 1977, with one crewmember of CVL-25 attending. Since then, as many as 115 CVL-25 veterans have attended the festival at once. Also, since the launch and commissioning of the USS Cowpens (CG-63) in 1991, the festival has included actively serving crewmen or women of CG-63 sent by the ship's commanding officer, as well as previously serving veterans of CG 63. The festival is held from Wednesday through Saturday preceding Father's Day each June. During the 1980s, the town of Cowpens, South Carolina, actively petitioned Congress to name another ship Cowpens, which may have played a direct role in choosing this name for CG-63.

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References

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  1. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p203
  2. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p203
  3. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p204
  4. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p205
  5. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p205
  6. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p206
  7. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p206
  8. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p206
  9. ^ Gareth L. Pawlowski, “Flat-Tops and Fledglings: A History of American Aircraft Carriers” 1971, p207
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7°15′00″N 151°15′00″E / 7.250°N 151.250°E / 7.250; 151.250

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