Dozens of sailors and their families will be coming, from as far away as California and Washington State, for the 25^th and final reunion of the USS Cushing Association.  This final “Goodbye” will take place in Plymouth from September 25-27.

It is most befitting the group chose Plymouth for their final reunion as Plymouth is the source of the name for the ships on which they served.  Five U.S. combat ships have been named after U.S. Navy Lt. William B. Cushing who led what has been hailed as “the most daring mission of the Civil War” to sink the infamous and dreaded Confederate ironclad C.S.S. Albemarle, in 1864.  Lt Cushing became a national sensation of the time following his heroic feat.

The first warship to bear the Cushing name was a torpedo boat that was launched in 1890 and saw service in the Spanish-American War of 1898.  Later, four destroyers were named Cushing.  These destroyers served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War.  The last USS Cushing was just decommissioned in 2005.

There were two USS Cushings during World War II.  One was sunk during the naval battle at Guadalcanal in 1942, and a new Cushing was launched the very next year.  This ship saw service in both World War II and the Korean War.     

Cushing veterans will tour various museums and points of interest in and around Plymouth, including the Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, the Port o' Plymouth Civil War Museum, Somerset Plantation and Hope Plantation. They'll also be the guests of honor at a dinner at the Roanoke River Maritime Museum Friday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m.  We are honored the group has chosen Plymouth for their final reunion. 

Media site visits and information: 

Please contact Port O’ Plymouth Museum Curator Harry Thompson at (252) 793-1377, Willie Drye at (252) 793-4430 or Mayor Brian A. Roth at (252) 217-3050 (cell).