USS Truxtun Association

The symbolism of the insignia is as follows:

The Shield in colors of dark blue, white and gold are traditionally used by the US Navy and recall the sea and excellence. Red is emblematic of courage and sacrifice. The vertical white bar alludes to the Vertical Launch System strike warfare capabilities of the present ship. The trident, symbol of sea prowess, represents DDG 103's multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities with its three tines signifying Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface (ASUW). The three modern missiles in chief (ASROC, Tomahawk and Standard) also give emphases to the precision fire, modern weaponry of DDG 103 in the air, sea and strike arenas.

The Crest containing the silhouette of the USS Constellation recalls Commodore Thomas Truxtun being assigned to that ship in the early naval history of our country. He was one of our nation's premier sea fighters of that time. The stars commemorate the heritage of the five previous ships named TRUXTUN. The Aegis shield and anchor combined with the USS Constellation highlight the old and new US Navy warships and their long and proud history.

The Motto is derived from the golden medal presented to Captain Thomas Truxtun in March of 1800 by the President. The medal is emblematical of the action between the United States frigate Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, and the French ship of war La Vengeance, of fifty-four guns; in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the above engagement, wherein an example was exhibited by the captain, officers, sailors, and marines, honorable to the American name, and instructive to its rising navy. The medal is struck with the passage "U.S. Frigate Constellation of 38 guns Pursues, Attacks & Vanquishes the French ship La Vengeance of 54 guns, Feb 1800".

The Supporters are the crossed sword and cutlass highlight teamwork and cooperation.

The christening took place on Saturday, 2 June 2007 at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss.

Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi delivered the ceremony's principal address. Fourth generation great-granddaughters, Susan Scott Martin(left) and Carol Leigh Roelker, served as co-sponsors of the ship. In accordance with Navy tradition, they broke a bottle of champagne across the ship's bow and christen the ship in the name of Truxtun.

Ship sponsors Susan Scott Martin, left, and Carol Leigh Roelker, right, raise their commemorative bottles of champagne after breaking them across the bow of the Northrop Grumman-built Truxtun (DDG 103) at the pinnacle of the christening ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss. (Background, l-r), Rear Admiral Charles H. Goddard, Program Executive Officer, Ships and Gene Taylor, U.S. Representative from Mississippi's Fourth District join in the celebratory applause. Photo Courtesy of Northrup Grumman.

CO, Timothy R. Weber
Commander, United States Navy

Commander Weber is a native of Decatur, Georgia and a 1990 graduate of Vanderbilt University. After completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and receiving his commission via Vanderbilt’s NROTC program, Commander Weber’s initial assignment was in Mayport, FL where he served as Electrical/Auxiliaries Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant aboard USS FLATLEY (FFG 21). This was followed by a tour at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA where he received a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics.

Following Surface Warfare Officer Department Head Course in 1996, Commander Weber was assigned to USS TAYLOR (FFG 50) as Chief Engineer. He remained in this billet for 24-months, completing a deployment with the JOHN F. KENNEDY Battle Group and with Standing NATO Forces Mediterranean. He then transferred to CINCLANTFLT Propulsion Examining Board, where he served as an Engineering Space Assessor for another 24-month tour.

Following his Engineering tours, Commander Weber served as the Department Head Assignment Officer for PERS-41 at Naval Personnel Command, Millington, TN. In the summer of 2002, he transferred to Pearl Harbor, HI, where he served as Executive Officer in USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73). While in PORT ROYAL, he deployed with the inaugural Expeditionary Strike Group One in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He served as Area and Ship Self-Defense Section Head on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N86), Washington, DC from July 2004 to July 2007.

Commander Weber's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.

XO, Sherry L Smith
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

Lieutenant Commander Smith is a native of Floyd, New York and a 1994 graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester. After completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Foreign Languages and receiving her commission via the University of Rochester’s NROTC program, Lieutenant Commander Smith’s initial assignment was in Earle, NJ where she served as Communications Officer then Auxiliaries Officer aboard USS SEATTLE (AOE 3). During this time the SEATTLE completed a deployment to the Arabian Gulf and Adriatic Sea. Following this tour, she went to Mayport, FL where she served as Combat Information Center Officer aboard USS JOHN HANCOCK (DD 981). During this time the JOHN HANCOCK completed a Mediterranean Deployment including three months as part of Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean. She next transferred to Service School Command, Great Lakes, where she served as the Director of Electronic Strand Division and Combat Systems Assistant Officer in Charge.

Following Surface Warfare Officer Department Head Course in 2001, Lieutenant Commander Smith was assigned to USS SACRAMENTO (AOE 1) as Operations Officer. She remained in this billet for 24-months, completing a deployment with the CARL VINSON Strike Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and a Western Pacific Deployment. Lieutenant Commander Smith’s second department head tour was as Operations Officer aboard USS VALLEY FORGE (CG 50). Prior to decommissioning the VALLEY FORGE, she completed a counter-narcotics deployment. She then transferred to COMCARSTRKGRU TWELVE, where she served as Assistant Surface Operations Officer. During this 18 month tour, she also completed a six month individual augment to the Office for the Administrative Review of the Detention of Enemy Combatants as a case writer.

Lieutenant Commander Smith graduated from the Naval War College receiving a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Policy. She also completed the Naval Operational Planners Course while at the NWC.

Lieutenant Commander Smith’s personal awards include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Joint Services Achievement Medal, and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit and campaign awards.