USN

Naval Station Argentia was a major United States Navy base established in 1941 near Argentia, Newfoundland, as part of the "Destroyers for Bases Agreement" with the United Kingdom during World War II. The base played a strategic role in the Battle of the Atlantic, serving as a vital convoy assembly and anti-submarine warfare center, as well as providing support for Allied naval and air operations. Argentia also hosted the historic 1941 Atlantic Conference between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, which led to the Atlantic Charter. After serving throughout the Cold War as a key North Atlantic defense installation, the base was closed by the U.S. Navy in 1994 and returned to the Canadian government.

NAVCOMMSTA Wahiawa, officially known as Naval Communication Station Wahiawa, is a pivotal United States Navy communications facility located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Established during World War II, the station played a crucial role in maintaining secure and reliable communications across the Pacific theater. Over the decades, NAVCOMMSTA Wahiawa evolved with advancing technology, supporting fleet communications, cryptologic operations, and global command and control networks. Today, it operates as part of the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific (NCTAMS PAC), continuing its legacy as a cornerstone of naval communications in the Indo-Pacific region.

Navy Hospital Orlando, located in Orlando, Florida, was originally established during World War II as part of the U.S. military’s expansion to support wartime medical needs. The facility served as a key naval hospital, providing medical care and support to Navy personnel, their families, and veterans throughout its operational years. It played a vital role during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars by treating wounded service members and training medical staff. The hospital remained active until the 1990s, when it was closed as part of the Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

USS El Paso (LKA-117) was a Charleston-class amphibious cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Named after El Paso, Texas, the vessel was designed to transport troops, equipment, and supplies for amphibious operations. Throughout her service, El Paso participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including support missions in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, as well as contingency operations during global crises. The ship was decommissioned in 1994 after over two decades of distinguished service and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS *Galveston* (CLG-3) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser originally commissioned during World War II, but later converted to a guided missile cruiser and recommissioned in 1958. As a part of the U.S. Navy's modernization program, she was equipped with the Talos surface-to-air missile system, enhancing her air defense capabilities during the Cold War. *Galveston* served primarily in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, participating in operations such as patrols, training exercises, and showing the flag missions. She was decommissioned in 1970, marking the end of her distinguished service as one of the early missile-armed cruisers in the U.S. Navy.

USS Gridley (CG-21) was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on May 25, 1963. Originally designated as DLG-21 (destroyer leader), she was later reclassified as CG-21 in 1975. Throughout her service, Gridley played key roles in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and serving as a radar picket and missile defense ship. Over her career, she participated in numerous Pacific Fleet exercises and operations before being decommissioned on January 21, 1994.

USS Hull (DD-945) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1958. Named after Commodore Isaac Hull, the ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in numerous training exercises and operations, including deployments to the Western Pacific and Vietnam War combat support missions. In the 1970s, USS Hull was notable for testing the prototype 8"/55 Mark 71 Major Caliber Lightweight Gun (MCLWG), making it unique among destroyers. After decades of service, the ship was decommissioned in 1983 and later sunk as a target during naval exercises in 1998.

USS Jason (AR-8) was a Vulcan-class repair ship commissioned by the United States Navy in June 1944. During World War II, she provided critical repair and maintenance services to the Pacific Fleet, supporting operations at locations such as Ulithi and Leyte. After the war, USS Jason continued her service through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, offering vital support to active combat ships and naval units. Decommissioned in 1995, USS Jason had a distinguished career spanning over five decades, earning numerous commendations for her contributions to U.S. naval operations.

USS Nashville (LPD-13) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned into the United States Navy on February 14, 1970. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous amphibious operations, humanitarian missions, and exercises, including deployments to the Mediterranean and support for peacekeeping in Lebanon during the early 1980s. In 2006, Nashville played a key role in the evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict as part of Operation Strengthen Hope. After nearly four decades of service, USS Nashville was decommissioned on September 30, 2009.