U.S. Navy

USS PIONEER (MCM-9) is an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship commissioned into the United States Navy on December 7, 1992. Designed for the detection, classification, and neutralization of naval mines, PIONEER has participated in numerous training exercises and real-world operations to ensure safe maritime navigation. The ship has served extensively along the U.S. coasts and has deployed overseas, contributing to joint and multinational mine warfare operations. Throughout its service, USS PIONEER has exemplified the Navy’s commitment to mine countermeasures and maritime security.

USS Pivot (MSO-463) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy in 1954. Designed for clearing naval mines to ensure safe passage for allied vessels, she served primarily in the Western Pacific, participating in fleet exercises and joint operations with allied navies. Throughout her career, USS Pivot contributed to Cold War maritime security and took part in several deployments, including missions off Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. She was decommissioned in 1971 and later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she continued service as TCG Edincik (M-260).

USS Plate (AO-187) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy. Built in the late stages of the Cold War, her primary mission was to provide underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to deployed naval forces, enhancing their operational range and endurance. Throughout her service, USS Plate supported various fleet exercises and operations, often serving with carrier strike groups and amphibious readiness groups in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. The vessel was eventually decommissioned as newer logistics ships entered service, marking the end of her vital support role in U.S. naval operations.

USS Point Cruz (CVE-119) was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Initially serving as a training and transport carrier at the end of World War II, she was decommissioned in 1947 but recommissioned during the Korean War in 1951. During her Korean War service, Point Cruz operated as an aircraft transport and training carrier, providing critical air support and ferrying aircraft to forward areas. After the war, she participated in various missions, including Operation "Passage to Freedom" in Vietnam, before being decommissioned in 1969.

USS Pomfret (SS-391) was a Balao-class submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She served with distinction during World War II, completing nine war patrols in the Pacific, during which she sank numerous Japanese vessels and conducted daring rescue missions of downed Allied aviators. After the war, Pomfret continued her service through the early Cold War era, training crews and participating in various exercises until 1971. In that year, she was transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Oruçreis (S 337) until her final decommissioning.

USS Ptarmigan (AM-376) was an Auk-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. After her commissioning, she served in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II, conducting minesweeping operations around Japanese and Korean waters to ensure safe passage for Allied vessels. Following the war, Ptarmigan continued her service during the Korean War, where she played a vital role in clearing mines off the Korean coast to support United Nations naval operations. The ship was eventually decommissioned and transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy in 1963, where she continued to serve under a new designation.

**USS Quapaw (ATF-110)** was an Abnaki-class fleet ocean tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She served with distinction during World War II, providing vital towing and salvage support during the Pacific campaign, and later supported operations in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In 1985, she was transferred to the Mexican Navy and renamed **ARM Yaqui (R-03)**, continuing her service under a new flag. **USS Takelma (ATF-113)**, another Abnaki-class fleet ocean tug, was commissioned in 1944 and played a crucial role in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, conducting salvage operations and ocean towing. In 1976, Takelma was transferred to the Argentine Navy, where she was renamed **ARA Suboficial Castillo (A-6)** and remained in service for several decades.

USS Radford (DD-969) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on April 18, 1977. Named after Admiral Arthur W. Radford, the ship served in numerous operations, including deployments in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Atlantic, supporting missions such as Operation Desert Storm and anti-drug patrols in the Caribbean. Radford was notable for her versatility, participating in both combat and humanitarian missions throughout her service life. After over 26 years of active duty, USS Radford was decommissioned on March 18, 2003, and later sunk as part of an artificial reef project off the coast of Delaware in 2011.

USS Rawlins (APA-226) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in October 1944, she served in the Pacific Theater, transporting troops and cargo to support major amphibious operations, including the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After the war, USS Rawlins participated in Operation Magic Carpet, repatriating American servicemen from the Pacific. She was decommissioned in March 1946 and eventually struck from the Navy List in 1958.

USS Regulus (AF-57) was a stores ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1954. Originally launched as the civilian ship SS Escanaba Victory in 1944, she was acquired and converted for naval service to support fleet operations by transporting refrigerated stores and dry provisions. Throughout her career, Regulus played a vital logistical role in the Pacific, supplying ships and bases during the Cold War, Korean War, and Vietnam War. She was decommissioned in 1971 and later sold for scrap, remembered for her critical support in sustaining naval operations across decades.

**USS Renville (APA-227)** was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She participated in World War II, most notably in the Okinawa campaign, where she landed troops and provided logistical support. After the war, Renville served in "Operation Magic Carpet," bringing home American servicemen from the Pacific. Later, she played a significant role in the Indonesian National Revolution by hosting the Renville Agreement negotiations between the Dutch and Indonesian nationalists in 1948. The ship was decommissioned in 1957 after further service during the Korean War and in the early years of the Cold War.

USS Requisite (AGS-18) was originally built as a minesweeper (AM-109) and commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, she served in the Pacific Theater, conducting minesweeping, escort, and survey operations to ensure safe passage for Allied vessels. In 1945, she was converted to a survey ship and redesignated AGS-18, continuing her crucial work in hydrographic surveying and charting strategic waters. After the war, USS Requisite supported occupation forces in Japan and conducted further surveys before being decommissioned in 1946.

USS RESOLUTE (AFDM-10) was a floating dry dock commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Originally designated YFD-67, it was later redesignated as AFDM-10 and named RESOLUTE in 1979. Throughout its service, RESOLUTE provided vital maintenance and repair services for naval vessels, supporting fleet operations in both peacetime and during periods of heightened military activity. The unit served at several locations, including Guam and Pearl Harbor, before being decommissioned and eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS **Ringgold** refers to two U.S. Navy destroyers named in honor of Rear Admiral Cadwalader Ringgold. The first, **USS Ringgold (DD-89)**, was a Wickes-class destroyer commissioned in 1918, serving in World War I before being decommissioned in 1922. The second, **USS Ringgold (DD-500)**, was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned in 1942 and saw extensive combat in World War II, including action in the Pacific Theater such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf. After the war, DD-500 was transferred to the German and later the Greek navy, serving under other names before being scrapped. Both ships were recognized for their service and contributions to U.S. naval operations.

USS Rival (AM-468/MSO-468) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy in 1954. Designed for clearing naval mines to ensure safe passage for fleets, she operated primarily along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean, participating in various training exercises and fleet operations during the Cold War. In 1955, Rival was reclassified as MSO-468, denoting her as an ocean minesweeper. She served until her decommissioning in 1971, after which she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register and later sold for scrapping.

USS Robert L. Wilson (DD-871) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Named in honor of Marine Private First Class Robert L. Wilson, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, the ship served actively during the Cold War era. Throughout her career, she conducted anti-submarine warfare operations, participated in NATO exercises in the Atlantic, and deployed to the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet. USS Robert L. Wilson was decommissioned in 1974, after nearly three decades of service, and was eventually sunk as a target in 1980.

**USS Rochester** was the name given to three ships in the United States Navy, most notably **USS Rochester (CA-124)**, a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser. Commissioned in 1946, she served primarily in the Pacific and played a significant role during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for UN forces and participating in key operations such as the Inchon landings in 1950. Later, she supported various Cold War missions, including patrols and exercises in the Far East. USS Rochester was decommissioned in 1961 and ultimately sold for scrap in 1974.

USS Rockwall (APA-230) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1944. During World War II, she participated in the Pacific Theater, transporting troops, cargo, and equipment to key locations such as Okinawa and the Philippines. After the war, Rockwall assisted in Operation Magic Carpet, repatriating American servicemen from the Pacific back to the United States. She was decommissioned in 1947 and placed in reserve until her eventual scrapping in 1982.

USS Rowe (DD-564) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in March 1944. She saw active service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in operations such as the Battle of Leyte Gulf and providing fire support and screening for carrier task forces. After the war, Rowe served with the Atlantic Fleet and was later deployed during the Korean War, conducting patrols and bombardment missions. Decommissioned in 1959, USS Rowe was eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register and sold for scrap.

USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) was a high-speed transport of the United States Navy, originally laid down as a destroyer escort (DE-228) before being converted and commissioned in 1945. The ship participated in the final stages of World War II, serving in the Pacific Ocean and supporting occupation duties in Japan after the Japanese surrender. Following the war, Ruchamkin was involved in amphibious training exercises and various peacetime operations along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean. She was decommissioned in 1957, later placed in reserve, and ultimately struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1969.

USS Sabine (AO-25) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1940. Throughout World War II, she played a crucial role in fueling the Pacific Fleet, directly supporting major operations including the Battles of Midway, Guadalcanal, and Leyte Gulf. After the war, Sabine continued to serve during the Korean War, ensuring the mobility and effectiveness of naval forces through underway replenishment. Decommissioned in 1969, USS Sabine earned multiple battle stars for her vital service across three decades.

USS Sarasota (APA-204) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She played a pivotal role during World War II, participating in the invasion of Okinawa in 1945, where she landed troops under heavy enemy fire. After the war, Sarasota contributed to Operation Magic Carpet, transporting returning American servicemen from the Pacific. Decommissioned in 1946, she remained in reserve until being scrapped in 1979.

USS Scorpion (SSN-589) was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1960. Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, Scorpion conducted numerous Cold War patrols and training exercises, focusing on anti-submarine warfare and intelligence missions. On May 22, 1968, Scorpion tragically sank in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores, with the loss of all 99 crew members. The exact cause of the sinking remains uncertain, making it one of the most mysterious submarine disasters in U.S. naval history.

USS Sea Cat (SS-399) was a Balao-class submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1944. During World War II, she conducted several war patrols in the Pacific Theater, engaging enemy shipping and performing lifeguard duty for air strikes. Sea Cat earned three battle stars for her service, contributing to the Allied effort through reconnaissance and offensive operations against Japanese vessels. After the war, she remained active in the fleet, serving in training roles and undergoing various modernizations until her decommissioning in 1968.