During the U.S. Civil War, the Confederates devised a strategy to cripple the Union’s sea-going trade routes by raiding merchant ships flying under Union flag. Several Union Navy ships were tasked with tracking down the Southern raiding ships, especially the CSS Alabama, which had destroyed 65 merchant ships.

The USS Kearsarge located the Alabama in Cherbourg, France, in June 1964. The resulting naval battle sunk the Alabama in 200 feet of water. Seventeen Medals of Honor were awarded to sailors on the Kearsarge for their valor during the fight.