Military

DDG 55 Stout

The Stout was part of the Enterprise Battlegroup on Sept. 11th. It did not however take part in Operation Enduring Freedom as it had left the area prior to October 17th to return to port.

In June 1996, the USS Stout and Commander Destroyer Squadron 26 completed "Mid-Distant Operations 6-96," an Allied exercise held in the western Mediterranean Sea with maritime forces of the Western European Union. The three-day exercise, conducted south of France, involved ship-handling training, air defense exercises, surface engagements and a live-fire gunnery exercise.

The Stout also completed in June 1996 "PASSEX Juin 96," in the Western Mediterranean with French and American maritime forces practicing integrated air, surface and undersea warfare operations in an allied command environment. Stout and its counterparts conducted shiphandling and air defense exercises, surface and undersea warfare engagements, live-fire gunnery exercises against towed airborne and surface targets (included sinking a French target hulk) and naval surface fire support.

The USS Stout completed NATO Exercise Distant Thunder with forces from Turkey, Denmark and Belgium in April 1996. During the exercise, Stout exchanged two officers and four petty officers with the Turkish frigates Barbaros and Fatih.

Shield and Crest

The battle-axe on the shield is adapted from the Stout family's coat of arms. Its upright position underscores Stout's massive firepower and high survivability while the double axe head, facing both ways, alludes to the all-encompassing offensive and defensive power of the integrated AEGIS combat system. The star highlights Admiral Stout's many awards, as well as reference to the Silver Star. With resolute courage and daring aggressiveness, Admiral Stout, as Commanding Officer of the destroyer USS CLAXTON, aided his task force in sinking five heavily armed, enemy warships to establish our beachhead on Bougainvillea Island. This Naval battle is symbolized by the wedge piercing the field of the shield; the wedge representing Admiral Stout and United States Naval force disabling and destroying a surface force of superior fire power, signified by the field.

The Crest's cross suggests the Navy Cross, one of many decorations awarded to Admiral Stout; and exemplifies the strong devotion to God and Country that characterized Admiral Stout's Naval career and now reminds us that no STOUT sailor stands alone. It is inflamed to recall the fierce bombardment of the naval battle in the Solomon Islands. The lion, a symbol of courage, strength and tactical hunting skills, commemorates Rear Admiral Stout and the men and officers who served under his leadership, and to those who now continue that tradition serving in the Guided Missile Destroyer STOUT (DDG 55).