USS Rupertus (DD-851) was a United States Navy Gearing class destroyer, named for US Marine Corps General William H. Rupertus who is best known for writing the Rifleman's Creed. She was laid down on May 2, 1945 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Massachusetts; launched on September 21, 1945; sponsored by Mrs. William H. Rupertus; and commissioned on March 8, 1946.

On her first deployment in 1947 Rupertus operated throughout the Far East, particularly at Tsingtao, China. During 1948 she was in the eastern Pacific, and she departed San Diego on November 13, 1950 to operate with United Nations forces off Korea. From May 14, 1951 she operated with blockade and escort Task Force (TF) 95 off the west coast of Korea and in the Yellow Sea. Leaving TF 95 and steaming to Wonsan, she spent ten days off the coast near Songju and fired thousands of rounds of ammunition at shore targets. The destroyer saw continuous combat service until July 4.

After the Korean truce, Rupertus continued her annual deployments to WestPac until 1960. In June 1965 she participated in operations supporting the Gemini IV space flight, then returned to Vietnamese waters for “Market Time” operations, bombarding and inspecting many boats and ships off South Vietnam in search of Communist contraband. She also provided naval gunfire support to US forces in Vietnam. In 1966 she participated in Operation Sea Dragon which involved the interdiction of waterborne logistics craft staging from North Vietnamese ports, and the drawing enemy fire off Dong Hoi, North Vietnam.

On August 14, 1968 Rupertus assumed naval gunfire support responsibilities off South Vietnam. After serving as part of the Apollo 7 recovery team, she returned to duties off Vietnam and then plane guard duty off Korea, winding up 1968 in Yokosuka. The years 1971 and 1972 each saw Rupertus on a WestPac deployment alternated with operations in the San Diego area. In the spring of 1973 she underwent an INSURV inspection which resulted in her being declared unfit for further service. She was decommissioned on July 10, 1973 and transferred to the Hellenic Navy as HNS Kountouriotis. She remained in the Greek Navy until retired in 1994. Rupertus earned seven battle stars for Korean Conflict service.

With the USS Rupertus wooden ship model, one can almost hear the roar of the ocean waves. It is an exact replica of the original, handmade with vigilance, from the very first to the last step. Master craftsmen diligently carve high quality mahogany to create the ship's form. After it is sanded and puttied, skilled artists paint on the intricate details. Hand-casted resin and handmade metal parts also constitute the model. Clear lacquer provides the finishing touch and long-lasting protection. Each ship comes on a a display base with brass pedestals and a brass name plate. All items then undergo quality control and are delivered to eagerly waiting customers in professionally-packaged wood crates via FedEx Next Day Air. More than just a display piece, the Rupertus ship model is a work of art.