Truman Facts & Figures
Keel Laid: Nov. 29, 1993
Launched: Sept. 13, 1996
Commissioned: July 25, 1998
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co.,
Newport News, Va.
Propulsion System: two nuclear reactors
Main Engines: four
Propellers: four
Blades on each Propeller: five
Aircraft elevators: four
Catapults: four
Arresting gear cables: four
Length, overall: 1,092 feet (332.85 meters)
Flight Deck Width: 257 feet (78.34 meters)
Area of flight deck: about 4.5 acres
Beam: 134 feet (40.84 meters)
Draft: 38.4 feet (11.7 meters)
Displacement: approx. 100,000 tons full load
Speed: 30+ knots
Planes: approx. 85
Crew: Ship: approx. 3,200 Air Wing: 2,480
Tons of steel used: 60,000
Pounds of aluminum used: 1,000,000
Weight of modular segments used in final
construction: up to 900 tons
Number of modules making up the ship: 190
There are about 140,000 rolls of toilet paper on board
Pens and paper: 600,000 ball-point pens and
1.5 million sheets of paper on board
Armament: two Mk-57 Mod 3 Sea Sparrow, three 20mm
Phalanx CIWS Mk 15, two Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Systems
Homeport: Norfolk, Va.
About the Ship's Coat of Arms
Oval in shape, the coat of arms characterizes the global on-station capability of the ship and the United States Navy. Truman's name forms the shape of a forward-deployed aircraft carrier prepared to uphold and protect American interests.
The eagles assume a dominant presence denoting command of the sea, strength and authority, yet one grasps an olive branch, emphasizing the carrier's peacekeeping mission and Harry S. Truman's attitude: "To bear no malice." The eagle embodies the principles of integrity and honesty which personify Truman's attitudes and beliefs.
The encased signal flag inscription spells H S T and is flanked by wreaths denoting the honor and achievement which President Truman accomplished and the ship strives to achieve.
Thirty-three gold stars commemorate Harry S. Truman's term as 33rd president of the United States. The ship's motto, "The Buck Stops Here," derives from President Truman's belief that he ultimately bore the responsibility for making the final decision. Passing the buck was not an option.
About the Ship's Battle Flag
Steeped in tradition, every U.S. naval vessel has flown a battle flag from its mast during special evolutions. The crew of USS HARRY S. TRUMAN designed her battle flag as more than a tribute to the ship’s namesake.
TRUMAN’s battle flag is a variation of the flag carried by the 129th Field Artillery Regiment of the 35th Division, the battery under the command of then Capt. Harry Truman during World War I.
The scarlet background is representative of the price Americans have paid for freedom throughout history, symbolizing President Truman’s thoughts on American independence. "Freedom, in the American tradition, is always coupled with service...it still costs money. It still costs blood. "Freedom must be fought for today, just as our fathers had to fight for freedom when the nation was born."
The crossed cannons that once represented Battery D now seem to greater exemplify Truman’s leadership and dedication to service during WWI. Ironically, the cannons are French 75s, the type of cannon Battery D fired during some of the fighting in France. The swallowtail design, crossed cannons, "129" and "D" comprised the original battle flag. The original components of the battle flag are superimposed on TRUMAN’s hull number, signifying the relationship between the firepower of the past and present.
"Give ‘em hell" has become the carrier’s battle cry and is part of Truman’s legacy. The phrase was first mentioned during Truman’s 1948 re-election campaign during his 21,928-mile "whistle stop" rail tour. He delivered more than 300 speeches in 33 days to an estimated six million citizens, something no president had done before to meet the people. In Seattle, Truman was holding an enthusiastic campaign rally when someone cried, "Give ‘em hell, Harry!"
Truman later wrote, "I have never deliberately given anyone hell. I just told the truth on the opposition and they thought it was hell."
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