USS New York (LPD 21) is the fifth U.S. ship to be named for the state of New York. Constructed by Northrop Grumman Ships Systems in Avondale, La., her keel was laid on Oct. 10, 2004, and she was launched on December 19, 2007.

Four previous ships have been named New York. The first, a gondola (1776), was scuttled after suffering heavy damage during the defeat at the Battle of Valcour Island on Oct. 11, 1776. Though a tactical defeat, the fierce resistance of the outnumbered Americans postponed a British invasion from Canada. The second, a frigate (1800-1814), served to protect American commerce and project American Naval power, particularly along the Barbary Coast of North Africa. The third USS New York, an armored cruiser (1893-1938), served as flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron during the Spanish-American War and, later, flagship of the Asiatic Fleet before being renamed Saratoga in 1911. The fourth, the battleship USS New York (BB 34) (1914-1946), served in the North Sea blockade of Germany during World War I and provided shore bombardment during the invasions of North Africa, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa during World War II.

The newest ship to bear the name has acquired a distinguished history of her own before she even set sail. The ship and her motto, "Strength Forged Through Sacrifice - Never Forget," pay homage to the victims and first responders of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The ship contains 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the remains of the World Trade Center towers within her bow. According to Dotty England, the ship’s sponsor and the wife of former Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, "I went to the pouring of the steel down at Amite, Louisiana, and not just myself, but everybody connected in that steel mill, treated that steel with utmost dignity. It was rather quiet, everybody handled it with dignity. The steel workers in Amite felt like they were contributing to the defense of the nation."

In a poetically apropos gesture, USS New York was delivered to the fleet on August 21, 2009, at 9:11 am.

As another link to her illustrious name, she also holds the bugle from the battleship USS New York.

The Ships Crest
Symbolism Reveald

    The shield is dark blue and gold, the colors traditionally associated with the Navy, representing the sea and excellence. The crossed swords represent the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The red is for sacrifice and valor and the white recalls purity of purpose. The gray chevron and two vertical bars represent the bow of LPD 21 and The Twin Towers respectively. They are conjoined to emphasize the use of 24 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center, to construct the 7.5 metric ton bow stem of the USS New York.

     The phoenix rising personifies the hope and determination of this nation to rebuild and regroup to fight terrorism. The shield on the breast of the phoenix honors the New York City Fire Department, New York City Police Department and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The vertical red stripe is for the Fire Department, the dark blue stripe is the traditional blue for the Police Department and the light blue stripe is for the Port Authority Police Department.

     The Celeste is taken from the patch of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Celeste also alludes to coastal waters and the port of New York. The red drops represent blood shed and the ultimate sacrifice made by the men and women of 9/11. The stars commemorate the three battle stars the battle ship USS New York (BB 34) earned during World War II. The border of the shield is adapted from the New York State Seal.

     The sunburst represents the crown of the Statue of Liberty. They represent the seven seas and continents of the world and also suggest a direct connection to the littoral missions of the USS New York anywhere in the world, past and present. The mountains and lakes surrounded by the maple leaves represent the natural beauty of the State of New York.

     The motto, “Never Forget,” is a stark reminder of the events on which the legacy of USS New York is built.