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USS Somerset (LPD 25)
Courage Through Adversity
LPD 25 Trifold pdf
USS Somerset (LPD-25), a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, is the fifth ship of the United States Navy of that name; in this case in honor of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. These ships combine 21st century amphibious shipbuilding and warfighting technologies to support current and future Marine Corps aircraft and landing craft, and are capable of taking nearly 1,200 Sailors and Marines into harm’s way.
USS Somerset's keel was laid down on December 11, 2009, and was launched on April 14, 2012. Somerset was christened during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Avondale, LA. Mrs. Mary Jo Myers, the wife of Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, served as sponsor of the ship. Cmdr. Stephen C. Hayes was the prospective commanding officer.
It provides the Navy and Marine Corps the ability to embark, transport and land elements of a Marine Expeditionary Unit and Brigade. Designed to operate independently or as part of Amphibious Readiness Groups (ARGs), Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESGs) or Joint Task Forces (JTFs).
USS SOMERSET (LPD 25)
BLAZON
SHIELD: Within a bordure Azure charged with forty mullets Argent, a sky Proper arrayed with nine piles meeting in nombril Celeste, issuant from base a horizon embowed to chief Vert, charged with three piles emanating from nombril arrayed to base Light Green issuing from the horizon a row of maple trees Proper, and in flight above a bald eagle contournĂ© Proper. CREST: Issuing from a torse Argent and Azure behind a corn stalk to dexter and olive branch to sinister Vert, a Black keystone framed image of the frigate USS UNITED STATES in full sail Proper SUPPORTERS: To dexter a Navy officer sword and enlisted cutlass; in sinister a Marine officer sword and noncommissioned officer sword saltirewise. MOTTO: A Scarlet scroll triparted and inscribed “VIRTUS PER ADVERSA” in White letters translated “COURAGE THROUGH ADVERSITY.”
SEAL
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color upon a white oval enclosed by a dark blue collar edged on the outside with a gold anchor chain and bearing the inscription “USS SOMERSET” at top and “LPD 25” in base, all in gold.
SYMBOLISM
SHIELD: The shield shape is taken from the shield on the Somerset County seal; the background is sky blue horizoned by an embowed green landscape in lower base. The upper area is charged with nine light blue piles and the lower area has three piles in lighter green, signifying Flight 93. The five trees represent the present day honored National Park Memorial site which is ringed by trees and signify that this is the fifth ship to bear the name SOMERSET. Around the edge of the shield on a blue border are forty white stars, one for each of the forty passengers and crew who perished at this crash site. Above the trees is an American bald eagle flying towards sinister to show that the passengers turned the flight of the airliner and bravely changed the outcome of the conspirators’ intent. CREST: The cornstalk and olive branch are taken from the Pennsylvania state seal, and the keystone frame further identifies the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The image shows the USS UNITED STATES, the first ship of the United States Navy, built and launched in Philadelphia in 1797, symbolizing our proud naval heritage and long standing ties with Pennsylvania. SUPPORTERS: The Navy and Marine Corps officer swords and the Navy cutlass and Marine Corps noncommissioned officer sword represent the officers, crew and embarked Marines of the USS SOMERSET.
UNIT 100232 FPO, AP 96678-3200