USN

USS Lexington (CV-16) is an Essex-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, commissioned in February 1943. Nicknamed "The Blue Ghost," she earned her legend during World War II, participating in major Pacific battles such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the attacks on the Japanese home islands. Lexington’s air groups contributed significantly to the destruction of enemy ships and aircraft, earning 11 battle stars for her wartime service. After World War II, she served as an attack carrier and later as a training carrier until her decommissioning in 1991; today, USS Lexington is preserved as a museum ship in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron TWO (HC-2), known as the "Fleet Angels," was established in 1948, making it one of the U.S. Navy’s oldest dedicated helicopter squadrons. Originally formed as a utility squadron, HC-2 provided vital search and rescue (SAR), logistics, and vertical replenishment support to the Atlantic Fleet. Over the decades, the Fleet Angels participated in numerous high-profile operations, including disaster relief missions and combat support during conflicts such as the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The squadron was decommissioned in 2006, but its legacy endures as a pioneer in naval helicopter operations and SAR excellence.

USS Boston has been the name of several notable ships in United States Navy history, with the first commissioned in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. The most famous USS Boston, a protected cruiser (C-1), was launched in 1884 and played a significant role during the Spanish-American War, notably participating in the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898. Later, the name was carried by a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser (CA-69) commissioned in 1943, which saw extensive action in the Pacific Theater during World War II, including support for landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. This vessel was later converted to the world’s first guided missile cruiser (CAG-1) in the 1950s, serving through the early years of the Cold War before decommissioning in 1970.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) was a Midway-class aircraft carrier commissioned into the United States Navy in 1947. Named after the Battle of the Coral Sea, she served with distinction during the Korean War, Vietnam War, and throughout the Cold War, providing vital air support and power projection. Coral Sea was involved in major operations, including launching air strikes during the Vietnam War and supporting American interests in the Mediterranean and Middle East. After over 40 years of service, she was decommissioned in 1990 and later scrapped, leaving a legacy as one of America's most active carriers.

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.

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (NMMC), located in Bethesda, Maryland, was established in 2011 following the merger of the National Naval Medical Center (founded in 1940) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (founded in 1909). As the flagship military medical facility of the United States, it provides comprehensive care for service members, veterans, and their families. Bethesda Naval Hospital, its predecessor, played critical roles during World War II, the Korean War, and subsequent conflicts, treating wounded personnel and advancing military medicine. Today, Walter Reed NMMC continues its legacy as the nation's premier military medical center, renowned for its research, clinical care, and support to the armed forces.

The Construction Battalion Center (CBC) Gulfport, located in Gulfport, Mississippi, serves as a crucial hub for the United States Navy's Seabees, the Naval Construction Force. Established during World War II in 1942, CBC Gulfport initially supported the rapid training and deployment of construction battalions to the Pacific Theater. Over the decades, the base has evolved into a primary training and logistical center, supporting global Seabee operations, humanitarian missions, and disaster response. Today, CBC Gulfport continues to play a vital role in ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of Navy construction units worldwide.

**Enginemen 3rd Class (EN3)** is a United States Navy enlisted rating responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing internal combustion engines and related systems aboard naval vessels. The rating originated during World War II, when the complexity and number of shipboard engines increased dramatically, necessitating specialized technical roles. Over the decades, Enginemen 3rd Class have played crucial roles in ensuring the operational readiness of ships, submarines, and shore installations, particularly in propulsion, electrical generation, and auxiliary machinery. Through conflicts such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, and into the modern era, EN3 sailors have been essential in keeping the Navy’s fleet moving and mission-ready around the globe.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Cecil Field, located in Jacksonville, Florida, was commissioned in 1941 as a key training base for naval aviators during World War II. Throughout the Cold War era, it became a principal master jet base for the U.S. Navy, supporting carrier-based attack and fighter squadrons, including those flying the A-7 Corsair II and F/A-18 Hornet. Cecil Field played a significant role in preparing squadrons for deployment during conflicts such as the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The base was closed as an active military installation in 1999 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, but its legacy continues through its repurposing as a civilian airport and support facility for military reserve units.