USN

USS **Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG-13)** was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on 11 June 1983. Named in honor of Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison, a distinguished naval historian, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet. Throughout its service, FFG-13 participated in various operations, including counter-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean and multinational exercises, demonstrating versatility and commitment to maritime security. The frigate was decommissioned on 11 July 2002, after nearly two decades of service.

USS San Juan (SSN-751) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on August 6, 1988. She was the first of her class to be built with the improved 688i (Improved) design, featuring advanced quieting technologies and enhanced combat capabilities. Throughout her service, USS San Juan has participated in numerous deployments, including under-ice operations in the Arctic and supporting various fleet exercises and missions worldwide. Notably, she made headlines in 2007 during a brief loss of contact under the Atlantic, but was quickly located with all crew safe, highlighting the risks and professionalism associated with submarine operations.

USS **Seadragon** was the name given to two submarines in the United States Navy. The first, **USS Seadragon (SS-194)**, was a Sargo-class submarine commissioned in 1939. She served with distinction during World War II in the Pacific, conducting numerous war patrols, sinking enemy vessels, and earning multiple battle stars before being decommissioned in 1946. The second, **USS Seadragon (SSN-584)**, was a Skate-class nuclear-powered submarine commissioned in 1959, notable for her Arctic operations, including the first transit of the Northwest Passage by a submarine and surfacing at the North Pole. Both vessels played significant roles in advancing U.S. submarine capabilities and naval operations during their respective service periods.

USS Shadwell (LSD-15) was an Ashland-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She played a vital role in World War II, participating in the assault and occupation of Okinawa, where she supported amphibious operations by carrying and launching landing craft and vehicles. After the war, Shadwell took part in occupation duties in the Far East before being decommissioned in 1947, but was later recommissioned for service during the Korean War and Cold War era. In her later years, the ship was converted into a test platform for fire and damage control research, serving the Navy in experimental roles until her final decommissioning.

USS Soley (DD-707) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. Named after Lieutenant Commander James R. Soley, she served in the Pacific during the final months of World War II, supporting operations such as the bombardment of Japanese-held islands and escorting aircraft carriers. After the war, USS Soley participated in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening carriers. The ship continued her service during the Cold War, conducting various operations and training exercises until she was decommissioned in 1970.

**USS Spear (AM-322)** was an Auk-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in 1943, she played a crucial role in clearing minefields in the Pacific Theater, ensuring safe passage for Allied ships during key island-hopping campaigns. After the war, USS Spear assisted with post-war mine clearance operations before being decommissioned in 1946. In 1948, she was transferred to the Mexican Navy, where she served under the name ARM Hermenegildo Galeana.

USS Thetis Bay (CVE-90), a Casablanca-class escort carrier, was commissioned in July 1944 and served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, providing vital air support for amphibious operations and convoy protection. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 but was later reactivated and extensively converted into the Navy’s first assault helicopter carrier, redesignated as CVHA-1 (and later LPH-6) in 1955. As USS Thetis Bay (LPH-6), she pioneered the integration of helicopters into amphibious warfare, supporting Marine Corps operations and training exercises throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s. She was decommissioned in 1964, having played a key role in the evolution of naval aviation and amphibious assault tactics.

USS Tingey (DD-539) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943 during World War II. She participated in numerous Pacific Theater operations, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and shore bombardments in support of amphibious landings. Tingey was credited with rescuing survivors and providing vital anti-aircraft and anti-submarine defense for carrier task forces. After the war, she served briefly before being decommissioned in 1947, having earned eight battle stars for her distinguished service.

USS Tioga County (LST-1158) was a Terrebonne Parish-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1953. Designed for amphibious operations, she served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet before being deployed to the Western Pacific, where she supported logistics and landing exercises. During the Vietnam War, Tioga County played a crucial role in transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies to combat zones along the South Vietnamese coast. After nearly two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1972 and later transferred to the Republic of the Philippines, where she served as BRP Benguet (LT-507).