Harry S. Truman Strike Group
Harry S Truman Battle Group
CVN-75 Harry S. Truman
"HST" / "The Buck Stops Here"

The Harry S Truman Battle Group is a war fighting force of up to twelve surface ships and submarines in addition to eight aircraft squadrons equipped and trained to work as a forward deployed force providing a deterrent against aggression and protection of vital U.S. interests anywhere in the world.

USS Harry S Truman was commissioned July 25, 1998, and competed its final pre-deployment certification exercise in October 2000. After nearly 180 days, Sailors and Marines of the USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) completed the maiden voyage of the nation's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The crews of HST and Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) return to family and loved ones a little older and much wiser for the experiences and lessons learned over the past six months.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) announced 06 October 2014 a decision to change the future schedules of two Norfolk-based aircraft carriers. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), will replace USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in upcoming training, operational, and maintenance schedules. Eisenhower, in turn, will shift into the training, operational, and maintenance schedule that had been planned for Truman. The commanding officers of the two ships notified the crews earlier in the day.

As USFF implements the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (O-FRP), a careful analysis of fleet maintenance, training and operational schedules determined that changing Truman and Eisenhower’s long-term schedules would better enable the Navy to provide ready forces for national security taskings.

O-FRP offers more stability and predictability for Sailors and families by aligning carrier strike group assets to a 36-month training and deployment cycle. While changing Truman and Eisenhower’s schedules impacts the ships’ Sailors and families, the change ultimately provides better predictability Navy-wide.

As part of this change, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 staff members, who previously embarked aboard Truman, will embark aboard Eisenhower. Conversely, CSG 8 staff members, who previously embarked aboard Eisenhower, will now embark aboard Truman. This schedule change does not affect any other ship, squadron, or staff schedules.

Crests and Emblems

Just as branches of the government have emblems to distinguish their respective organizations from one another, Naval vessels do as well. The seal, designed by the crew of USS Harry S Truman, is a way of symbolizing and honoring the ship's namesake. Every aspect of the seal has relevance.

Blue and gold, long recognized as the colors of the sea service, were adopted from the Department of Defense Seal and used as a reference to President Harry S Truman's development of our nation's Defense Department.

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. Through decisive leadership, commitment to excellence, and eternal vigilance, the officers and crew of Harry S Truman strive to fulfill President Truman's principles.

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 (CVN 75) 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 scarlett 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."