Rob Thomson

USS NASSAU

U.S. Navy

USS Nassau (LHA-4) was a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1979. Designed to carry and deploy Marines, helicopters, and landing craft, Nassau played a key role in projecting American power and humanitarian assistance worldwide. The ship participated in notable operations, including the Gulf War’s Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and supported missions in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Middle East. USS Nassau was decommissioned in 2011 after over three decades of distinguished service.

USS Lockwood (FF-1064) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1971. Named after Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, a prominent submarine commander during World War II, the ship was primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare and escort duties during the Cold War. Throughout her service, Lockwood participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as supporting US interests in the Western Pacific. After more than two decades of service, USS Lockwood was decommissioned in 1992 and subsequently transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Karadeniz (F-255).

The United States Naval Academy (USNA), established in 1845 in Annapolis, Maryland, serves as the undergraduate college for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Founded during a period of naval reform, the Academy was created to provide rigorous academic and military training to future naval officers. Throughout its history, USNA graduates have played vital roles in every major American conflict, from the Civil War to modern-day operations. Renowned for its traditions, honor code, and leadership development, the Naval Academy remains a cornerstone in shaping the Navy and Marine Corps’ leadership.

USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52) is a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship commissioned into the U.S. Navy on May 30, 1998. Named in honor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the ship has been pivotal in supporting amphibious operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions worldwide. Over its service, USS Pearl Harbor has participated in major exercises and deployments, including Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, providing logistical support and transport for Marines, vehicles, and landing craft. The ship’s versatility and advanced capabilities have made it a key asset in maintaining U.S. maritime readiness and projecting power across the globe.

USS BOXER

U.S. Navy

The USS Boxer is the name given to several ships in the United States Navy, most notably a series of aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. The first USS Boxer was a brig captured from the British during the War of 1812. The most famous, USS Boxer (CV-21), was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned in 1945, which served in the closing months of World War II and saw extensive action during the Korean War, earning eight battle stars. Later, the USS Boxer (LHD-4), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, was commissioned in 1995 and continues to serve as a key element of the U.S. Navy’s expeditionary forces, participating in humanitarian missions, combat operations, and multinational exercises around the globe. Throughout their service, ships bearing the name USS Boxer have established a legacy of versatility and distinguished service in the U.S. Navy.

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), located in Monterey, California, was established in 1909 as the School of Marine Engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1951, it relocated to its current campus, taking over the former Hotel Del Monte, to better serve the advanced education needs of Navy officers. Over the decades, NPS has grown into a premier graduate research university, providing advanced degrees in engineering, science, and national security to U.S. military officers and international allies. Its interdisciplinary programs and research have significantly contributed to the technological and strategic advancement of the U.S. Navy and the broader Department of Defense.

USS Dubuque (LPD-8) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned by the United States Navy in 1967. Over her four decades of service, Dubuque participated in major operations including the Vietnam War, where she supported troop movements and amphibious assaults. She also played a vital role in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, and later supported operations in the Persian Gulf and humanitarian missions. The ship was decommissioned in 2011, having earned numerous awards for her distinguished service.