U.S. Navy

USS Lapon (SSN-661) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Designed for anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering during the Cold War, she conducted numerous covert operations and patrols, primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. USS Lapon earned a reputation for excellence, receiving multiple commendations for her service and operational achievements. After over two decades of active duty, she was decommissioned in 1992, marking the end of her distinguished career.

USS Leader (MSO-490) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Designed for clearing naval mines to ensure safe passage of fleet and commercial vessels, she served primarily in the Pacific Fleet. Leader participated in multiple Western Pacific deployments, supporting operations during the Vietnam War and taking part in joint exercises with allied navies. After decades of service contributing to maritime security and mine countermeasures, USS Leader was decommissioned in 1990.

USS LeRay Wilson (DE-414) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II. Named in honor of Seaman LeRay Wilson, who was killed in action during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, the ship served in the Pacific Theater. She performed escort duties for convoys and participated in operations supporting the liberation of the Philippines, surviving several attacks by enemy aircraft and kamikaze pilots. After the war, USS LeRay Wilson was decommissioned in 1946 and later struck from the Navy list in 1972.

USS Lipan (ATF-85) was an Abnaki-class fleet ocean tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. Throughout World War II, Lipan provided vital towing, salvage, and rescue services in the Pacific Theater, supporting operations at locations such as Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The vessel continued its valuable support role during the Korean War, assisting in logistics and recovery operations. After decades of distinguished service, USS Lipan was decommissioned in 1978, leaving behind a legacy of steadfast support to the U.S. Navy’s fleet operations.

USS Litchfield County (LST-901) was a tank landing ship of the LST-542 class, commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1945. She served in the Pacific Theater during the final stages of World War II, transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies to forward areas. After the war, LST-901 participated in occupation duties in the Far East before being decommissioned in 1946. Reactivated for the Korean War and later service, she was renamed USS Litchfield County in 1955 and continued to serve until her decommissioning in 1969.

USS LOUIS B. PULLER (FFG-23) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, named in honor of the legendary Marine Corps General Lewis "Chesty" Puller. Commissioned on April 17, 1982, she served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, conducting operations that included escort duties, drug interdiction missions, and participation in multinational exercises. The frigate played a key role in supporting U.S. interests during the latter years of the Cold War, as well as in regional stability operations. USS LOUIS B. PULLER was decommissioned on September 18, 1998, and later transferred to the Egyptian Navy.

USS LSM-168 was a Landing Ship Medium commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Built at the Charleston Navy Yard, she was launched in 1944 and assigned to the Pacific Theater. LSM-168 participated in several key amphibious operations, including the liberation of the Philippines, providing critical support for landing troops and equipment under fire. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 and eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register, marking the end of her service.

USS LSM-297 was a Landing Ship Medium (LSM) commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. She was laid down on October 5, 1944, at Charleston Navy Yard and launched on October 26, 1944. Commissioned on November 18, 1944, LSM-297 served in the Pacific Theater, performing amphibious operations and transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment to forward areas. After the war, she was decommissioned on May 1, 1946, and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register, marking the end of her brief but essential service.

USS LST-916 was a tank landing ship of the LST-542 class built for the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in 1944, LST-916 participated in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, supporting critical amphibious operations, including the Leyte and Okinawa campaigns. The ship played a vital role in transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies directly onto hostile shores, contributing significantly to Allied successes in the Pacific. After the war, LST-916 was decommissioned in 1946 and later sold, marking the end of her distinguished naval service.

**USS Lusino (ATF-156)** was an Abnaki-class fleet ocean tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Built towards the end of World War II, Lusino provided critical towing and salvage services, supporting the fleet with rescue and recovery operations. After the war, she continued to serve for a brief period before being decommissioned in 1947. The USS Lusino played a vital support role during her short service, exemplifying the essential but often overlooked contributions of fleet tugs to naval operations.

USS Luzon (ARG-2) was an internal combustion engine repair ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in May 1944 during World War II. Originally laid down as the Liberty ship SS J. Fred Essary, she was converted to serve as a vital support vessel, providing repair services to the fleet in the Pacific theater. Luzon played a critical role in maintaining the operational readiness of Allied naval forces during campaigns in the Philippines and Okinawa. After the war, she continued to serve in the Western Pacific until her decommissioning in 1947.

USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She saw extensive action in the Pacific Theater during World War II, providing fire support during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and surviving multiple kamikaze attacks. During the Korean War, Lyman K. Swenson served as a screening ship and participated in the bombardment of enemy positions along the Korean coast. The destroyer continued her service through the Cold War era, participating in various training and patrol duties until she was decommissioned in 1971.

USS Lyon (AP-71) was a troop transport ship commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Originally built as the commercial liner Mormactide in 1939, she was acquired and converted for military service in 1942. USS Lyon played a crucial role in major amphibious operations, including the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, and Southern France, transporting thousands of troops and equipment to combat zones. After distinguished service throughout the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 and returned to commercial operation.

USS Manchester (CL-83) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser commissioned by the United States Navy in October 1946. Although commissioned too late to see action in World War II, she played a significant combat role during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. Manchester participated in bombardments along the Korean coast and helped protect United Nations forces from enemy advances. After her Korean War service, she remained active until she was decommissioned in June 1956.

USS Mason (DDG 87) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on April 12, 2003. Named in honor of the crew of the World War II destroyer escort USS Mason (DE-529), she represents a legacy of diversity and valor. Mason has participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Middle East, where she responded to missile threats off the coast of Yemen in 2016. The ship continues to serve as a versatile asset in maritime security, ballistic missile defense, and multinational exercises worldwide.

USS Mazama (AE-9) was an ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II. She provided vital logistical support by transporting and supplying ammunition to combat ships in the Pacific Theater, particularly during the campaigns at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Mazama survived a torpedo attack by a Japanese submarine in January 1945, sustaining damage but managing to continue her mission after repairs. Following World War II, she supported operations during the Korean War and served until her decommissioning in 1960.

USS McCook (DD-496) was a Gleaves-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in March 1943 during World War II. She served extensively in the Atlantic, participating in convoy escort duties and anti-submarine operations. Notably, McCook played a significant role during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, where she provided naval gunfire support for the assault troops at Omaha Beach. After the war, she continued to serve until decommissioned in February 1946.

USS Memphis (SSN-691) was a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on December 17, 1977. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, Memphis served with distinction during the Cold War, participating in numerous intelligence-gathering missions and fleet exercises. Throughout her service, she supported vital operations, including those related to submarine warfare development and advanced research projects. After over three decades of active duty, USS Memphis was decommissioned on April 1, 2011, marking the end of her significant contributions to the U.S. Navy’s undersea force.

USS Menifee (APA-202) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy in October 1944. During World War II, she played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater, notably participating in the Okinawa campaign by landing troops and equipment under heavy enemy fire in April 1945. Following the war, Menifee assisted in occupation duties in Japan and China and helped transport returning veterans during Operation Magic Carpet. The ship was decommissioned in 1947 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1968.

The USS Michell (DE-43) was an Evarts-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in June 1943, she was named in honor of Ensign John Allen Michell, who was killed in action during the Battle of Midway. Throughout her service, USS Michell was primarily assigned to escort convoys and provide anti-submarine protection in the Pacific Theater, supporting operations in the Solomon Islands and other key locations. After the war, she was decommissioned in November 1945 and subsequently scrapped, earning several battle stars for her wartime contributions.

USS Middlesex County (LST-983) was a tank landing ship of the LST-542 class, commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II. She participated in the Normandy Invasion, landing troops and vehicles on Omaha Beach in June 1944, and continued to serve in European waters supporting Allied operations. After the war, LST-983 was decommissioned but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War and Cold War, primarily as a training and logistics vessel. In 1955, she was renamed USS Middlesex County (LST-983), serving until her final decommissioning in 1970.

USS Mitscher (DDG-35) was a Mitscher-class destroyer leader (DL-2), later reclassified as a guided missile destroyer, serving in the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1953, she was named in honor of Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, a prominent naval aviator and World War II commander. Throughout her career, USS Mitscher participated in numerous Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, NATO exercises, and served as flagship for various fleet commands. After two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1978 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1980.

USS Moctobi (ATF-105) was an Abnaki-class fleet ocean tug commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1944. Serving during the final year of World War II, she provided critical towing, salvage, and rescue services across the Pacific Theater, including support for the Okinawa campaign. After the war, Moctobi continued her vital support roles during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, assisting in fleet operations and emergency salvage missions. The vessel remained in service until her decommissioning in 1978, earning several commendations for her dedicated service across multiple conflicts.

The USS Molala (ATF-106) was an Abnaki-class fleet ocean tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. Throughout World War II, Molala played a crucial role in towing operations, salvage missions, and rescue work in the Pacific Theater, supporting major campaigns such as the liberation of the Philippines and Okinawa. The ship continued her service during the Korean War and later in the Vietnam War, providing essential support to Navy operations. After decades of distinguished service, USS Molala was decommissioned in 1978 and later transferred to the Mexican Navy.