USN

USS Glover (AGDE-1), later reclassified as FF-1098, was a unique experimental destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1965. Named after Rear Admiral John Glover, the ship was designed to test and evaluate advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems and tactics during the height of the Cold War. Throughout her service, USS Glover operated primarily with the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous trials and exercises to improve the Navy’s ASW capabilities. She was decommissioned in 1990, having contributed significantly to the development of modern naval technology and warfare techniques.

USS Johnston (DD-821) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Ernest E. Evans, hero of the Battle off Samar, the ship served extensively during the Cold War era. Johnston participated in several important operations, including patrol and escort duties in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean, as well as deployments to the 6th Fleet. After decades of active service, she was decommissioned in 1973 and later transferred to the Republic of China Navy, where she served as ROCS Chen Yang (DD-916).

USS Merrimack (AO-179) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler of the United States Navy, commissioned on November 7, 1981. Serving primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, she provided vital underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to warships at sea, ensuring sustained naval operations. Merrimack participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including support during operations in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned on December 18, 1998, and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

The **USS Reclaimer (ARS-42)** was a Bolster-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. She served primarily in the Pacific, supporting fleet operations by conducting salvage, towing, and rescue missions for damaged or stranded vessels. During the Vietnam War, Reclaimer played a crucial role in recovery and repair operations, often working in hazardous combat zones to support naval and allied forces. After decades of distinguished service, she was decommissioned in 1994 and later transferred to the Mexican Navy.

USS Rushmore (LSD 47) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship commissioned into the United States Navy on June 1, 1991. Designed to support amphibious operations, Rushmore has participated in numerous deployments, including missions in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Gulf. The ship has supported humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and combat operations, notably contributing to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. With a focus on transporting and launching amphibious craft and vehicles, Rushmore continues to serve as a vital asset for the U.S. Navy’s expeditionary warfare capabilities.

USS Sides (FFG-14) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate commissioned into the United States Navy in 1981. Named in honor of Admiral John H. Sides, the ship served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, undertaking missions ranging from escort duties to anti-submarine warfare and maritime security operations. USS Sides notably participated in Operation Earnest Will in the late 1980s, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti tankers through the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War. After nearly two decades of service, the frigate was decommissioned in 2001 and later scrapped.

USS Skipjack (SSN-585) was the lead ship of her class and the first nuclear-powered submarine to incorporate the revolutionary teardrop-shaped hull design, which greatly enhanced underwater speed and maneuverability. Commissioned on April 15, 1959, Skipjack set new standards for submarine performance and served as a prototype for future fast-attack submarines of the U.S. Navy. Throughout her career, she participated in numerous Cold War patrols and exercises, demonstrating the effectiveness of nuclear propulsion and modern submarine tactics. After over 30 years of service, USS Skipjack was decommissioned on April 19, 1990.

USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on 17 April 1982. Named in honor of Ensign Stephen W. Groves, a naval aviator who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Midway, the ship served in various operations including drug interdiction, maritime security, and multinational exercises. Throughout her service, Stephen W. Groves participated in significant missions such as humanitarian assistance in Haiti and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Africa. After three decades of active duty, the frigate was decommissioned on 24 February 2012.

USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628) was a Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964. Named after the renowned Shawnee leader Tecumseh, the submarine played a vital role during the Cold War as part of the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrent, conducting numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Tecumseh operated primarily in the Atlantic, ensuring the effectiveness of the United States’ second-strike capability. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1993 and later scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.