USN

USS Colonial (LSD-18) was a Casa Grande-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, near the end of World War II. Although she missed combat in World War II, USS Colonial played a significant role during the Korean War, supporting amphibious operations and transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment. She continued her service through the 1950s and 1960s, including deployments during the Vietnam War, where she assisted in landing operations and logistical support. Decommissioned in 1970, USS Colonial earned multiple battle stars for her service and contributions to U.S. naval operations.

**USS Columbia** is the name given to several ships in the United States Navy, most notably the Los Angeles-class attack submarine **USS Columbia (SSN-771)**. Commissioned in 1995, SSN-771 is the last submarine of her class, designed for a wide range of missions including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and strike operations. Earlier vessels bearing the name served in significant conflicts, such as the protected cruiser **USS Columbia (C-12)**, which was active during the Spanish-American War and World War I. The name "Columbia" honors the poetic female personification of the United States, reflecting the ship’s longstanding heritage and service in the U.S. Navy.

USS CONCORD (CL-10) was an Omaha-class light cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy in November 1923. Throughout the interwar period, Concord served in the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets, participating in training exercises and goodwill visits. During World War II, she was active in the Pacific Theater, conducting patrols, escort missions, and supporting operations in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands campaign. The ship continued to serve in various capacities until the war's end, and was decommissioned in December 1945, later being sold for scrap in 1947.

USS De Wert (FFG-45) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate commissioned into the United States Navy on November 19, 1983. Named in honor of Hospitalman Richard De Wert, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War, the ship served in various roles including escort, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime security operations. Throughout its career, De Wert participated in multinational exercises, counter-narcotics missions, and supported operations in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. After nearly three decades of service, USS De Wert was decommissioned on April 4, 2014.

**USS Denebola (AF-56)** was a Denebola-class stores ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1954. Originally built as the SS Hibbing Victory during World War II, she was later converted to serve as a combat stores ship, tasked with delivering refrigerated and dry provisions to Navy vessels at sea. Throughout her service, Denebola supported U.S. fleet operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, including numerous deployments with the Sixth Fleet and participation in NATO exercises during the Cold War. She was decommissioned in 1976 after more than two decades of dedicated logistical support to U.S. naval forces.

USS Firedrake (AE-14) was a Mount Hood-class ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. During World War II, she played a vital role in the Pacific Theater, supplying ammunition to combat ships engaged in major operations such as the Philippines and Okinawa campaigns. After the war, Firedrake saw multiple recommissionings, supporting fleet operations during the Korean War and providing crucial logistics support throughout the Vietnam War. She was decommissioned in 1971, having earned multiple battle stars for her service across three major conflicts.

USS Florikan (ASR-9) was a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, Florikan played a crucial role in supporting submarine operations in the Pacific, conducting rescue and salvage missions, and assisting damaged submarines. She earned three battle stars for her wartime service, notably participating in the rescue of survivors from the sunken USS Sculpin (SS-191). After the war, Florikan continued to serve in training and support roles until her decommissioning in 1991.

USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient William D. Hammerberg, the ship was primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare operations during the Cold War. Throughout her service, Hammerberg participated in a variety of exercises and deployments, including NATO operations and training cruises in the Atlantic and Caribbean. She was decommissioned in 1974 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Hank (DD-702) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in August 1944. Named after Lieutenant Commander William Edwin Hank, she participated in World War II, supporting operations during the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and conducting anti-aircraft and shore bombardment missions. USS Hank also served in the Korean War, providing gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. After years of distinguished service, she was decommissioned in 1972 and later transferred to Argentina, where she served as ARA Seguí.

USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) is a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship commissioned into the United States Navy on January 7, 1995. Designed to transport and launch amphibious craft, vehicles, and Marines, she has participated in numerous operations, humanitarian missions, and joint exercises in the Pacific and Middle East regions. Notably, Harpers Ferry provided disaster relief in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and has supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The ship continues to serve as a vital component of U.S. Navy amphibious readiness, often deployed with Expeditionary Strike Groups.

USS Haven (AH-12) was a Haven-class hospital ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She served in the Pacific near the end of World War II, providing medical care to wounded servicemen and participating in the postwar occupation of Japan. During the Korean War, USS Haven played a crucial role by treating thousands of casualties off the Korean Peninsula. After her distinguished service, the ship was decommissioned in 1957 and later served as a civilian hospital ship before being scrapped in the 1980s.

USS **Higbee (DD-806)** was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1945, named after Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee, the first woman to receive the Navy Cross. She served in the final months of World War II, participating in operations off Okinawa and Japan. During the Korean War, Higbee provided naval gunfire support and screening for carrier task forces. In the Vietnam War, she conducted shore bombardments and carrier escort duties, earning multiple battle stars before being decommissioned in 1979 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy.

USS Hissem (DE-400) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, Hissem served primarily in the Atlantic, escorting convoys to North Africa and Europe and participating in anti-submarine warfare operations. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 but later recommissioned during the Cold War to serve in various roles, including radar picket duty in the North Atlantic. USS Hissem was finally decommissioned in 1969, having earned distinction for her service in both wartime and peacetime operations.

USS Illusive (MSO-448) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1953. Designed for clearing naval mines, she served primarily in the Pacific, participating in training exercises, fleet operations, and joint maneuvers with allied navies during the Cold War. Illusive conducted several Far East deployments, including missions off Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, supporting U.S. Seventh Fleet operations and ensuring safe sea lanes. After decades of service, the ship was decommissioned in 1990 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Jenkins (DD-447) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in July 1942. She served extensively in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in key operations such as the Solomon Islands campaign, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and escorting convoys and bombardments throughout the Philippines and Okinawa. Jenkins earned seven battle stars for her wartime service, showcasing her resilience and effectiveness in both offensive and defensive roles. After the war, she continued to serve in various capacities until she was decommissioned in 1946 and later scrapped.

USS John A. Bole (DD-755) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in March 1945. She served in the final months of World War II, providing escort and screening duties for fast carrier task forces in the Pacific. During the Korean War, John A. Bole participated in shore bombardment, blockade, and patrol operations, earning multiple battle stars. The destroyer continued to serve during the Vietnam War, supporting naval gunfire missions before being decommissioned in 1970 and transferred to Taiwan.

USS John R. Craig (DD-885) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in March 1945. Named after Lieutenant Commander John R. Craig, a World War II submarine hero, the ship saw extensive service during the late stages of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Throughout her career, John R. Craig performed a variety of roles including anti-submarine warfare, escort duties, and naval gunfire support. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1979 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea, where she served as ROKS Jeong Ju until her final decommissioning.

USS John W. Weeks (DD-701) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1944. Named in honor of Rear Admiral John W. Weeks, the ship served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in operations such as the Battle of Okinawa and providing vital escort and gunfire support. Following the war, John W. Weeks was active during the Korean War and later assignments during the Cold War, including Mediterranean and Atlantic deployments. The ship was decommissioned in 1970, concluding over two decades of dedicated service to the U.S. Navy.

USS *Kansas City* (LCS-22) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship commissioned into the United States Navy on June 20, 2020. Designed for operations close to shore, the ship features a trimaran hull and modular mission packages for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine missions. Homeported in San Diego, California, *Kansas City* has participated in fleet exercises and operational deployments, contributing to maritime security and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. The vessel honors the city of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third Navy ship to bear the name.

USS Kauffman (FFG-59) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on February 28, 1987. Named in honor of Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman and Rear Admiral Draper L. Kauffman, she served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet. Throughout her career, USS Kauffman participated in numerous operations, including drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean and deployments in support of maritime security and international exercises. The frigate was decommissioned on September 18, 2015, marking the end of nearly three decades of distinguished service.

USS Key West (SSN-722) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on September 12, 1987. Built at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, Key West has participated in numerous operations, including deployments to the Western Pacific and support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The submarine has conducted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as joint exercises with allied navies. Throughout its service, USS Key West has exemplified the versatility and endurance of the Los Angeles-class submarines in supporting U.S. maritime strategy.

USS Laws (DD-558) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1943. Named after Alexander Laws, she served prominently in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in significant operations including the Marianas, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa campaigns. Laws provided vital anti-aircraft and fire support, screening aircraft carriers and assisting in shore bombardments. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946, briefly recommissioned during the Korean War, and finally decommissioned in 1964.

USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946, named in honor of Marine Private First Class Leonard F. Mason, a Medal of Honor recipient. The ship served extensively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, Leonard F. Mason participated in operations such as "Sea Dragon" and performed search and rescue missions. Decommissioned in 1976, she was later transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece, serving as HS Leon until her final decommissioning.

USS Lester (DE-1022) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned into the United States Navy in 1957. As part of Escort Squadron Eight (Cortron Eight), she was frequently deployed to the Mediterranean, where she operated out of the Port of Naples, Italy, during the height of the Cold War. While stationed in Naples, USS Lester participated in numerous NATO exercises, conducted anti-submarine warfare patrols, and provided crucial support to allied naval forces in the region. Her service contributed to strengthening NATO maritime security and enhancing cooperation between U.S. and European naval units until her decommissioning in 1973.