Named for the senior Senator from Mississippi, who served with eight U.S. Presidents from 1947 to 1988, the USS John C. Stennis is the seventh ship of the Navy's Nimitz Class of nuclear-powered carriers.

Towering 20 stories above the waterline and stretching 1,092 feet from bow to stern, the ship's massive 4.5 acre flight deck serves as the launching pad for the Navy's Carrier Air Wing Nine. Since it was commissioned on December 9, 1995, the USS John C. Stennis has completed four major overseas deployments. Following the terrorist attacks on America in 2001, it was charged with leading the defense of the nation's pacific coast and has continued to play a major role in America's global war on terrorism.

This coin is dedicated to the unrivaled skill and commitment of all those who serve with pride aboard the USS John C. Stennis. Struck in high relief using special "splash" mint dies, every element of this coin's design is featured in crisp detail. The obverse features a rendering of John C. Stennis in three-quarter profile, his image looming above the carrier that bears his name. The words "Understand the past, prepare for the future," call to mind the mission of the USS John C. Stennis and the U.S. Military at large to protect and defend America's interests throughout the world.

Minted in a brass alloy and accented with an antique bronze finish, this coin comes packaged with a header card that describes the role of the USS John C. Stennis in ensuring the global reach of America's Navy.