USN

USS Polk County (LST-1084) was a tank landing ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in May 1945 near the end of World War II. Initially serving in the Pacific, she assisted in occupation duties in the Far East after Japan’s surrender. The ship was decommissioned but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War, where she transported troops, vehicles, and equipment to support United Nations operations. USS Polk County continued to serve through the Cold War period until she was decommissioned in 1969 and subsequently transferred to the Republic of China Navy.

USS Pollack (SSN-603) was a Permit-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964. Named after the pollack fish, she played an important role in Cold War naval operations, conducting numerous surveillance and deterrence patrols. Pollack participated in various fleet exercises and was noted for her advanced sonar and stealth capabilities. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1989 and later scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Preserver (ARS-8) was a Diver-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. Throughout World War II, she provided vital salvage, towing, and rescue operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters, notably supporting the Normandy Invasion in 1944. After the war, Preserver continued her service, participating in peacetime operations and Cold War missions, including the recovery of sunken aircraft and submarines. Decommissioned in 1992, USS Preserver earned several commendations for her decades of dedicated and versatile service.

USS Rainier (AE-5) was an ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1941. Throughout World War II, she played a critical logistics role, supplying ammunition to Allied naval forces in the Pacific Theater, including during major campaigns such as Guadalcanal and the Philippines. After the war, Rainier was decommissioned, but was later recommissioned for service during the Korean War and again during the Vietnam War, continuing her vital support missions. Rainier was finally decommissioned in 1970, having earned numerous battle stars for her dedicated service across three major conflicts.

USS Ranger (CV-4) was the United States Navy's first purpose-built aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1934. During World War II, she primarily operated in the Atlantic, providing critical air cover for convoys and participating in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa in 1942. Ranger also conducted air strikes against German shipping and installations along the Norwegian coast in 1943. After serving as a training and transport carrier later in the war, USS Ranger was decommissioned in 1946 and sold for scrap in 1947.

USS Reuben James (FFG-57) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on March 22, 1986. Named in honor of Boatswain’s Mate Reuben James, a naval hero of the First Barbary War, the ship conducted multiple deployments to the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf, often supporting maritime security operations and coalition exercises. Notably, Reuben James participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, providing escort and patrol duties in the volatile Middle East region. After over 27 years of distinguished service, the frigate was decommissioned on July 18, 2013, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

USS Rockbridge (APA-228) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1944. She served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in the Okinawa campaign by transporting troops and equipment for amphibious assaults. After the war, Rockbridge supported occupation duties in Japan and later took part in Operation Magic Carpet, repatriating American servicemen. The vessel was decommissioned in 1947 but was recommissioned for service during the Korean War and continued to serve until her final decommissioning in 1968.

USS Rowan (DD-782) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. After serving briefly in the final months of World War II, Rowan was active during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. The ship also saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, participating in operations such as Sea Dragon and offering naval gunfire support along the Vietnamese coast. Decommissioned from U.S. service in 1975, Rowan was transferred to the Republic of China Navy, where she served as ROCS Lai Yang (DD-20) until her retirement.

USS **Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413)** was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1944. The ship gained legendary status during the Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944, when her crew bravely engaged a vastly superior Japanese fleet to protect American escort carriers. Despite being heavily outgunned and eventually sunk, Samuel B. Roberts inflicted significant damage on enemy ships and bought crucial time for the American task force to escape. The ship's extraordinary courage earned her and her crew the nickname "the destroyer escort that fought like a battleship" and a lasting place in naval history.