USS Pinckney
USS "Pinckney" (DDG-91) is an in the United States Navy. She is named for African American Officer's Cook First Class William Pinckney (1915–1976), who received the Navy Cross for his courageous rescue of a fellow crewmember on board the aircraft carrier during the Battle of Santa Cruz. "Pinckney" was laid down on 16 July 2001 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, at Pascagoula, Mississippi; launched on 26 June 2002; and commissioned on 29 May 2004 at Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme. As of January 2018, "Pinckney" is homeported at NS San Diego, and assigned to Destroyer Squadron 23. Gules , on a grid shaped as an Aegis shield Sable the head of a trident issuing from base Argent (Silver Gray); overall a bald eagle's head erased Proper. Coat of Arms. Gules (Scarlet) denotes courage and sacrifice. The black grid shaped like an Aegis shield refers to the destroyer class to which the "Pinckney" belongs and its state-of-the-art equipment and armament. It also suggests a mess grill, symbolizing the duties of William Pinckney as Navy Cook Third Class aboard the USS "Enterprise" at the time of his heroic act in saving his shipmate. The trident symbolizes authority  at sea. The eagle's head denotes vigilance, resolve and seagoing defense of the United States. White (Argent) indicates integrity; black (Sable) signifies strength and fortitude. On a wreath Argent and Gules a laurel wreath Proper surmounted by a demi-compass rose Celeste; overall a stylized Navy Cross. The Navy Cross indicates the award for heroism made to William Pinckney for his exemplary actions under fire in saving the life of a fellow sailor during the battle of Santa Cruz. The compass-rose signifies navigational expertise and global action during World War II. The wreath of laurel represents honor and  achievement. A scroll Azure fimbriated and inscribed "PROUD TO SERVE". The arms as blazoned in full color upon a white oval enclosed within a dark blue collar edged on the outside with a gold chain of ninety-one links and one locking link (a canting reference to the sip's designation as DDG 91) with the name "USS PINCKNEY" above and "DDG 91" below in gold letters. Service history. USS "Pinckney" made her maiden deployment September 2005. During this deployment, she made port visits to Guam, Singapore, Australia, Fiji and Hawaii. During this deployment, "Pinckney" became the first ever guided  missile destroyer to refuel and replenish the Mark Five (MK V) high-performance combatant craft. She returned home after five months underway on 24 February 2006. On 16 February 2007, "Pinckney" was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award. "Pinckney" departed San Diego on 2 April 2007 along with the aircraft carrier for a 6-month deployment. She returned home on 30 September 2007. On 8 March 2014, "Pinckney" was diverted from a training mission in the South China Sea, to the southern coast of Vietnam, to help search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Awards. Commanding officers. The Commanding  Officer (CO) of "Pinckney" is the most senior officer that is in command of the ship. Sailors will refer to the CO as "the Captain" (regardless of rank), or sometimes informally as "Skipper". Below is the list of commanding officers of "Pinckney."