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Memory Alpha

The USS James Fennimore Cooper (NCC-4077) was a 24th century Federation starship operated by Starfleet. In 2364, this starship was commanded by Benjamin Franklin Pierce.

In that year, prior to stardate 41044.2 , this starship had a stay at Starbase 55. During this stay, the Cooper received an order from Captain B.J. Hunnicutt of Starfleet Operational Support Services. According to this order, the ship's captain was to set a course heading of 223 mark 83 for galactic coordinates 002/3845. At these coordinates, the Cooper rendezvoused with the USS Discovery for a transfer of personnel. The captain was ordered to acknowledge this order on subspace com net security mode 45, code 100 alpha. Later that year, this order was read by Lieutenant Commander Data during an investigation into an alleged conspiracy in the highest levels of Starfleet Command. (TNG: "Conspiracy", okudagram)

This starship, and the mission order, were an homage by Michael Okuda to the TV Series M*A*S*H. This series was a dramedy about the 4077th MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hosptial), a fictional surgical unit during the Korean War (1950-1953). Captain Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce was the main character. According to Pierce, his father’s favorite book was James Fenimore (with one "n") Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohicans. Throughout most of the show's run, the character of Captain B.J. Hunnicutt was Pierce's best friend and tent-mate.
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