U.S. Navy

The Naval Strike Warfare Center (NSWC) was established in 1984 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nevada, as the U.S. Navy’s premier command for strike warfare training and tactics development. Its mission was to provide advanced training to naval aviators, aircrews, and strike groups, focusing on integrated strike warfare, electronic warfare, and air wing tactics. The NSWC became renowned for its realistic training scenarios, using the vast Fallon ranges to simulate complex combat environments. In 1996, the NSWC merged with other commands to form the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), continuing its legacy of excellence in naval aviation training.

Naval Communications Station (NAVCOMMSTA) Adak, Alaska, was commissioned in 1943 on Adak Island in the Aleutian chain during World War II. Initially established to support wartime operations against Japanese forces in the North Pacific, the station evolved into a crucial Cold War outpost for monitoring Soviet naval and submarine activity. Throughout its operational years, NAVCOMMSTA Adak provided vital communications, electronic intelligence, and navigation support for the U.S. Navy and its allies. The station was eventually decommissioned in 1997 as the strategic landscape shifted and advances in technology reduced the need for remote communications outposts.

The National Security Agency (NSA), established in 1952, functions as a key intelligence agency for the United States Department of Defense. Charged primarily with signals intelligence (SIGINT) and information assurance, the NSA plays a crucial role in monitoring, collecting, and analyzing foreign communications and data for national security purposes. Throughout the Cold War and into the digital age, the NSA has adapted to emerging technologies, expanding its cyber operations and cryptographic capabilities. While not a traditional military unit, its close integration with U.S. military operations and intelligence communities has made it indispensable to American defense and security efforts.

**NSA Danang and Chu Lai** were key logistics units of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. The **Naval Support Activity (NSA) Danang** was established in 1965 to provide critical supply, maintenance, and support operations to U.S. and allied forces in the I Corps Tactical Zone. NSA Danang managed port operations, fuel depots, warehousing, and transportation, becoming the largest naval logistics base in South Vietnam. An extension, **NSA Chu Lai**, supported the nearby Marine Corps base and airfield, ensuring a constant flow of ammunition, fuel, and matériel. Both units played vital roles in sustaining combat operations and enhancing the operational reach of U.S. and South Vietnamese forces until their drawdown in the early 1970s.

Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle, located in Monmouth County, New Jersey, was commissioned in 1943 during World War II to provide a secure and efficient location for the storage, handling, and shipment of naval ammunition. Its unique layout features a 2.9-mile-long pier extending into Sandy Hook Bay, allowing safe loading and unloading of munitions away from populated areas. Throughout its history, NWS Earle has played a crucial role in supporting the Atlantic Fleet, supplying ordnance for major conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, and operations in the Middle East. Today, NWS Earle remains a vital logistics hub for the U.S. Navy, supporting fleet readiness and national defense.

The Oakland Naval Supply Center was established in 1941 in Oakland, California, as a key logistics and supply hub for the United States Navy during World War II. Serving as one of the largest naval supply depots on the West Coast, it played a crucial role in supporting Pacific Fleet operations by providing essential materials, equipment, and provisions. The center continued its operations through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, adapting to changing military needs and technological advancements. After decades of service, the facility was closed in 1998 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, marking the end of its significant contributions to U.S. naval logistics.

St. Albans Naval Hospital, located in Queens, New York, was established in 1943 during World War II to provide medical care for wounded sailors and Marines returning from combat. Constructed on the site of the former St. Albans Golf Course, the hospital rapidly expanded to include over 3,000 beds, becoming one of the largest naval medical facilities on the East Coast. Throughout its operational years, St. Albans Naval Hospital played a crucial role in treating veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The hospital was decommissioned in 1974, and the site was later repurposed as a Veterans Administration medical center.

USS Coontz (DLG-9), later reclassified as DDG-40, was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer leader commissioned by the United States Navy in 1960. Named after Admiral Robert E. Coontz, the ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean with the Sixth Fleet and off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Coontz underwent modernization in the late 1960s to enhance her missile and anti-submarine capabilities. She remained active until her decommissioning in 1989, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.

USS Elliot (DD-967) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on January 22, 1977. Named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Arthur J. Elliot II, the ship served extensively in the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War and Operation Desert Storm. USS Elliot provided crucial escort and anti-submarine warfare capabilities and was recognized for her crew’s professionalism and effectiveness. After over 27 years of service, the destroyer was decommissioned on December 2, 2003, and later sunk as a target during naval exercises in 2005.

USS Fairfax County (LST-1193) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1971. Designed to transport tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore without docks, she played a crucial role in amphibious operations and training exercises throughout her service. The ship participated in numerous deployments with the Atlantic Fleet, supporting NATO operations and multinational exercises. Decommissioned in 1994, she was later transferred to the Australian Navy, where she continued service as HMAS Manoora (L 52).

USS Fort Snelling (LSD-30) was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Named after the historic fort in Minnesota, she served primarily in amphibious operations, supporting the deployment of Marines, vehicles, and landing craft. Throughout her career, Fort Snelling participated in significant operations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine in 1962 and the recovery of the Gemini VI and VII space missions in 1965. The ship remained active during the Vietnam War and other Cold War deployments before being decommissioned in 1984.

USS Gridley (DLG-21), a Leahy-class guided missile frigate, was commissioned into the United States Navy on May 25, 1963. Named after Captain Charles Gridley, famed for Admiral Dewey's command at the Battle of Manila Bay, Gridley served prominently during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and serving on Yankee Station. Throughout her career, she conducted numerous deployments to the Western Pacific, participating in fleet exercises and supporting U.S. interests during the Cold War. Decommissioned on January 4, 1994, USS Gridley earned multiple battle stars and unit commendations for her distinguished service.

USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, near the end of World War II. Named after Ensign Harold John Ellison, a naval aviator killed during the Battle of Midway, the ship served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets during her lengthy career. She participated in various Cold War operations, including patrols, NATO exercises, and the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine. After over three decades of service, the Harold J. Ellison was decommissioned in 1983 and subsequently transferred to Pakistan, where she was renamed Shah Jahan.

USS Hassayampa (AO-145) was a Neosho-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Throughout her service, she played a crucial role in supplying fuel and logistical support to U.S. naval vessels, particularly during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Hassayampa participated in significant operations, including the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade and various Pacific fleet exercises. The vessel was decommissioned in 1991 after over three decades of continuous service, earning numerous awards for her contributions.

USS James Madison (SSBN-627) was a James Madison-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964. As part of the "41 for Freedom" submarines, she was equipped with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles, serving as a critical element of the U.S. nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. Throughout her career, USS James Madison conducted numerous strategic deterrent patrols in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, helping to maintain the balance of power. She was decommissioned in 1992 following the end of the Cold War and subsequently scrapped as part of the Navy's nuclear ship recycling program.

USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1963. Named after Admiral Joseph Strauss, the ship served prominently during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties for aircraft carriers, and participating in search and rescue operations. Throughout her career, USS Joseph Strauss operated extensively in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting U.S. naval presence during the Cold War. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1990 and later transferred to the Hellenic Navy, where she served as Formion (D220) before being retired.

USS Kilauea (AE-26) was the lead ship of the Kilauea-class ammunition ships in the United States Navy, commissioned on August 10, 1968. Designed to transport and transfer ammunition and explosives to combat ships at sea, she played a vital logistical role during the Vietnam War and later in the Gulf War. Throughout her service, USS Kilauea supported various fleet operations, ensuring combat readiness for U.S. naval forces worldwide. The ship was decommissioned on October 18, 1996, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.

USS Orleck (DD-886) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1945. Named after Lieutenant Joseph Orleck, the ship served during the final stages of World War II and later participated extensively in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties, and patrol operations. After decades of active service, Orleck was transferred to the Turkish Navy in 1982, where she operated as TCG Yücetepe (D-345) until her decommissioning in 2000. Today, USS Orleck serves as a museum ship, preserving her legacy and honoring the sailors who served aboard her.

USS Sellers (DDG-11) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in 1961. Named after Admiral David F. Sellers, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, NATO operations, and Mediterranean deployments during the Cold War. Sellers provided anti-air and anti-submarine capabilities, supporting carrier battle groups and performing escort duties. After more than two decades of service, USS Sellers was decommissioned in 1989 and later scrapped.

USS **Thomas S. Gates (CG-51)** was a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on December 22, 1987. Named after Thomas S. Gates, the 7th Secretary of Defense, the ship served as a multi-role warship capable of air defense, surface warfare, and strike operations. Throughout her service, Thomas S. Gates participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm, and counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean. After nearly two decades of service, she was decommissioned on December 15, 2005.

USS TOWERS (DDG-9) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on June 6, 1961. Named in honor of Admiral John Henry Towers, the ship served extensively in the Pacific Fleet, participating in multiple deployments during the Vietnam War, where she provided naval gunfire support and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers. Throughout her career, TOWERS took part in numerous exercises and operations, enhancing U.S. naval presence and readiness in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. After over three decades of service, USS TOWERS was decommissioned on October 1, 1990, and later sunk as a target in 2002.

USS Warrington (DD-843) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in December 1945. Named after Lewis Warrington, a notable naval officer from the War of 1812, the ship served during the Cold War era, participating in fleet exercises, NATO operations, and Mediterranean deployments. During the 1960s, Warrington was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine and later saw action off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1972 and transferred to the Taiwanese Navy, where she continued service under the name ROCS Chao Yang.

USS William C. Lawe (DD-763) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in December 1946. Named after Lieutenant William C. Lawe, she served during the Cold War era, participating in numerous Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, including support for the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade in 1962. The ship was also active during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and serving on Yankee Station. After over three decades of service, USS William C. Lawe was decommissioned in October 1983 and later sunk as a target in 1999.

Attack Squadron 105 (VA-105), known as the "Mad Dogs," was a United States Navy attack squadron established on May 1, 1952. The unit was originally equipped with the AD Skyraider and later transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk. VA-105 participated in several key operations, including the Lebanon crisis in 1958, providing close air support for U.S. Marine landings. The squadron was disestablished on February 1, 1959, after nearly seven years of service.