U.S. Navy

The USNR Port Newark, N.J. was a United States Navy Reserve unit located at the busy maritime hub of Port Newark, New Jersey. Established during World War II, the unit supported the mobilization and training of naval reservists who were vital to the war effort, especially in logistics and port operations. Throughout the Cold War and into the late 20th century, USNR Port Newark continued to serve as a key reserve training center, preparing sailors for both active duty assignments and homeland defense missions. The unit played an important role in supporting fleet operations and maintaining readiness for conflicts and emergencies until its eventual deactivation as part of broader military restructuring.

USNS Andrew J. Higgins (T-AO-190) was a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler of the United States Navy. Launched in 1987 and delivered to the Military Sealift Command in 1989, she was named in honor of Andrew Jackson Higgins, the designer of the famous WWII Higgins boat landing craft. Throughout her service, the Andrew J. Higgins provided vital underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy ships at sea, supporting operations worldwide. After nearly two decades of service, she was removed from active service and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1999.

USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23) began its life as a Mariner-class merchant ship launched in 1953 and was later converted into a missile range instrumentation ship for the U.S. Navy. The vessel played a crucial role during the Cold War by supporting the testing and development of the Polaris and Poseidon ballistic missile programs, serving as a tracking and telemetry platform for intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests. Observation Island was the first ship to successfully launch a Polaris missile from its deck in 1959, marking a significant milestone in naval missile technology. Throughout its service, the ship continued to provide vital support for missile tracking and space missions until its deactivation in 2014.

Certainly! The **USNS Rose** is not a recognized or historical military unit or vessel within the United States Navy or Military Sealift Command as of the current historical record (up to 2024). It is possible you are referring to another ship, such as the *USNS Mercy* or *USNS Comfort*, which are well-known hospital ships, or perhaps a different vessel with a similar name. If you have a specific ship or unit in mind, please provide additional details or clarify the designation, and I would be happy to provide a concise military history.

**USNS Vanguard** (T-AGM-19) is a missile range instrumentation ship operated by the United States Navy under the Military Sealift Command. Originally built as a World War II-era cargo ship in 1945 and launched as SS *Transcolumbia*, she was later acquired and converted by the Navy in 1963 for use in the U.S. Air Force’s Missile Test Project. USNS Vanguard played a key role in tracking and collecting data for missile and space launches, particularly supporting the Apollo and Gemini programs during the height of the space race. The vessel continued in service into the 1980s, demonstrating the critical importance of maritime platforms in supporting America’s missile and space endeavors.

The USNSCC Asheville Division is a unit of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC), a national youth leadership program sponsored by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, the division was established to provide local youth with training in naval customs, seamanship, leadership, and physical fitness. Over the years, Asheville Division cadets have participated in community service, regional and national training events, and ceremonial duties, building a reputation for excellence and discipline. The unit continues to prepare young men and women for future service and leadership roles, embodying the core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

USS Lloyd E. Acree (DE-356) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in March 1944 and named in honor of Seaman Lloyd E. Acree, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the ship was primarily assigned to escort and patrol duties in the Pacific Theater. She provided anti-submarine and anti-aircraft protection for convoys and participated in the occupation of the Philippines and other post-war operations. Decommissioned in 1946, the USS Lloyd E. Acree was placed in reserve before being struck from the Navy list in 1972 and ultimately scrapped.

USS Abbot (DD-629) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1943. She served extensively in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major operations including the invasions of the Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands, and the Philippines. Abbot provided crucial fire support, screened aircraft carriers, and engaged in anti-submarine patrols throughout the conflict. After the war, she supported occupation duties in Japan before being decommissioned in 1946, later serving in the Atlantic Fleet during the 1950s before her final decommissioning in 1957.

The **USS Abnaki (ATF-96)** was a fleet ocean tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. As part of the Abnaki-class, she served with distinction during World War II, providing vital towing, salvage, and rescue operations in the Pacific Theater, including support during major assaults such as Okinawa. After the war, Abnaki continued her service, assisting in both peacetime and combat operations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The vessel was finally decommissioned in 1978, having earned several battle stars for her dedicated and versatile service.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier commissioned into the United States Navy on November 11, 1989. Named after the 16th President of the United States, the ship has played a pivotal role in several major operations, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Abraham Lincoln has conducted multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf, supporting combat and humanitarian missions, and has showcased U.S. naval power and diplomacy worldwide. In 2019, the carrier completed a significant refueling and complex overhaul, ensuring its operational status for decades to come.

USS Arikra (AT-98) was a Cherokee-class fleet tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, she served in the Pacific Theater, providing vital towing, salvage, and rescue operations in support of amphibious assaults, including the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Arikra continued her service during the Korean War, assisting United Nations forces with similar support duties. The vessel remained active until her decommissioning in 1971, earning several battle stars for her distinguished service.

**USS Bache (DD-470)** was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned in 1942, serving actively in the Pacific during World War II. She participated in major operations, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the invasions of the Philippines, earning eight battle stars for her service. After the war, Bache continued in service through the Korean War and into the Cold War era before being heavily damaged by grounding off Rhodes, Greece, in 1968, leading to her decommissioning. **USS John W. Weeks (DD-701)** was also a Fletcher-class destroyer, commissioned in 1944. She served in the Pacific during the final phases of World War II, supporting carrier strikes and bombardments against Japanese targets. After the war, the John W. Weeks remained in active service, participating in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars before being decommissioned in 1970.

USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1945. Although she missed combat in World War II, Badoeng Strait played a significant role during the Korean War, providing vital air support for United Nations forces, including close air support and anti-submarine operations. The carrier participated in numerous combat missions, earning two battle stars for her Korean War service. Decommissioned in 1957, USS Badoeng Strait was ultimately struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1960.

USS Balch (DD-363) was a Porter-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in October 1936. Named after Admiral George Beall Balch, she served prominently during World War II. Balch participated in key operations including the Doolittle Raid, the Battle of Midway, and the Aleutian Islands Campaign, excelling in escort and rescue duties. After earning six battle stars for her wartime service, she was decommissioned in October 1945 and sold for scrap the following year.

**USS Baseline (AG-68)** was a miscellaneous auxiliary ship commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Originally built as a Liberty ship named *SS George W. Woodward*, she was acquired and converted by the Navy in 1944. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet, USS Baseline provided logistic and support services to advanced bases and fleet units during the final year of the war. After the conflict ended, she continued supporting occupation forces before being decommissioned and returned to the Maritime Commission in 1946.

USS Basilone (DD-824) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in July 1949, named in honor of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. Throughout her service, USS Basilone participated in numerous Cold War operations, including NATO exercises and Mediterranean deployments with the 6th Fleet. The ship played a significant role during the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade in 1962 and provided naval gunfire support during the Vietnam War. After nearly three decades of active duty, USS Basilone was decommissioned in November 1977 and later transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy.

USS Baton Rouge (SSN-689) was a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on June 25, 1977. Throughout its active service, Baton Rouge conducted numerous Cold War patrols and intelligence-gathering missions, playing a vital role in anti-submarine warfare and surveillance operations in the Atlantic. On February 11, 1992, the submarine was notably involved in a minor underwater collision with the Russian submarine K-276 Kostroma in the Barents Sea, an incident that intensified post-Cold War naval tensions. USS Baton Rouge was decommissioned on January 13, 1995, after nearly two decades of service.

USS **Begor** (APD-127) was a high-speed transport ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1944. Originally launched as a destroyer escort (DE-711), she was converted to a Crosley-class high-speed transport before entering service. During World War II, Begor participated in the Battle of Okinawa and supported underwater demolition teams (UDTs) in preparing for amphibious landings. After the war, she assisted in the occupation of Japan and later took part in the Korean War before being decommissioned in 1958.

USS Beverly W. Reid (APD-119) was a United States Navy high-speed transport commissioned late in World War II. Named after Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Beverly William Reid, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the ship was launched in May 1944 and commissioned in February 1945. She served briefly in the Pacific theater, performing transport and training duties, but saw limited combat due to the war's end soon after her arrival. Following the war, USS Beverly W. Reid was decommissioned in 1946, later recommissioned during the Cold War, and eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1967.

USS Block Island (CVE-21) was a Bogue-class escort carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1943 during World War II. She played a critical role in anti-submarine operations in the Atlantic, notably helping to sink German U-boats and protecting Allied convoys. On May 29, 1944, Block Island became the only American aircraft carrier sunk in the Atlantic after being torpedoed by U-549. Despite the loss, her crew's swift evacuation efforts resulted in the survival of most personnel, and her legacy continued with the commissioning of a second carrier bearing her name.

USS *Bugara* (SS-331) was a Balao-class submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1944. She served with distinction during the final months of World War II, conducting three war patrols in the Pacific and famously sinking several Japanese vessels, including a unique surface engagement where she destroyed multiple small ships with gunfire. After the war, *Bugara* participated in peacetime operations, training exercises, and special missions throughout the Cold War, including service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. She was finally decommissioned in 1970 and tragically lost under tow in 1971 en route to be scrapped.

**USS Bulwark (MSO-425)** was an Aggressive-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy. Launched in 1952 and commissioned in 1953, Bulwark's primary mission was to locate and clear naval mines, ensuring the safe passage of allied vessels during the Cold War era. The ship operated along the U.S. East Coast and the Caribbean, participating in numerous training exercises and fleet operations to maintain mine warfare readiness. After over two decades of service, USS Bulwark was decommissioned in 1971 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Calhoun County (LST-519) was a tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Laid down in September 1943 and launched in January 1944, she participated in pivotal operations in the European Theater, including the Normandy invasion. After the war, she was redesignated and served in various logistical and support roles, including the disposal of radioactive waste during the early Cold War. The ship was eventually decommissioned in 1963 and subsequently sunk as a target.

USS **California** (BB-44) was a Tennessee-class battleship commissioned into the United States Navy in 1921. Serving as the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, she was moored at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, where she was heavily damaged and sank in shallow water. After extensive salvage and modernization, California returned to service in 1944, participating in major Pacific campaigns including Saipan, Guam, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa, providing vital naval gunfire support. She earned seven battle stars during World War II before being decommissioned in 1947 and ultimately scrapped in 1959.