USN

USS Pine Island (AV-12) was a Currituck-class seaplane tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She played a vital support role in the final months of World War II, tending seaplanes involved in reconnaissance and rescue missions in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Pine Island participated in Operation Highjump, the U.S. Navy’s Antarctic research expedition from 1946 to 1947. The ship saw service again during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing aviation support and logistics before being decommissioned in 1967.

USS Rentz (FFG-46) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on June 30, 1984. Named in honor of World War II Navy chaplain Lieutenant Commander George S. Rentz, the ship served primarily in the Pacific Fleet. Throughout her service, USS Rentz participated in numerous operations, including counter-narcotics missions in the Eastern Pacific and multinational exercises such as RIMPAC. After three decades of service, she was decommissioned on May 9, 2014, and later sunk as a target during a training exercise.

USS Repose (AH-16) was a Haven-class hospital ship commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1945. Originally serving in the final months of World War II, she provided vital medical support in the Pacific theater. Repose was reactivated for both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where she became known as the "Angel of the Orient" for her life-saving care to thousands of wounded service members. After decades of distinguished service, USS Repose was decommissioned in 1970.

USS Richmond K. Turner (DLG-20/CG-20) was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964. Named after Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, the ship served extensively during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and participating in search and rescue missions. Over its career, Richmond K. Turner took part in numerous Cold War operations and multinational exercises, reflecting the Navy's global commitments. The ship was reclassified as a cruiser (CG-20) in 1975 and remained in active service until its decommissioning in 1995.

USS Saginaw (LST-1188) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1971. Designed to support amphibious operations, she featured a unique bow ramp and could transport tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto shore without port facilities. Throughout her service, Saginaw participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and provided critical support during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1980s. Decommissioned in 1994, she was later transferred to the Royal Australian Navy and renamed HMAS Kanimbla (L 51).

USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635) was a James Madison-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1964. Named after the longtime Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the submarine played a critical role in the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrent during the Cold War, conducting numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Throughout her service, Sam Rayburn demonstrated the reliability and endurance of the Navy’s “41 for Freedom” ballistic missile submarines. She was decommissioned in 1989 and subsequently converted to a moored training ship, continuing her service to the Navy in a non-combat capacity.

USS Sarsfield (DD-837) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. Named after Eugene Sarsfield, a World War II naval officer killed in action, the destroyer served primarily during the Cold War, participating in various Atlantic and Mediterranean operations, including NATO exercises and patrols. Sarsfield played a vital role during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 by enforcing the naval quarantine of Cuba. The ship continued to serve until 1977, after which it was transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where it was renamed ROCS Te Yang (DD-925).

USS Scamp (SSN-588) was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1961. Built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Scamp was among the early generation of nuclear submarines, designed for high speed and improved underwater performance. Throughout her service, Scamp conducted a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare exercises, intelligence gathering, and deterrent patrols during the tense years of the Cold War. After more than two decades of active duty, she was decommissioned in 1988 and later scrapped as part of the Navy’s Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.

USS **Stark** (FFG-31) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate commissioned into the United States Navy on October 23, 1982. The ship is most remembered for the tragic incident on May 17, 1987, when it was struck by two Exocet missiles fired by an Iraqi aircraft while patrolling the Persian Gulf, resulting in the deaths of 37 sailors and injuries to 21 others. Despite severe damage, the crew’s heroism and damage control efforts saved the ship from sinking, and USS Stark was able to return to port for repairs. The incident led to changes in U.S. naval procedures and highlighted the risks faced by American forces in volatile regions.