U.S. Navy

USS Lang (FF-1060) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned into the United States Navy on March 28, 1970. Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, Lang served extensively in the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous exercises and operations throughout the Cold War era. The ship supported various missions, including patrols, escort duties, and joint training with allied navies. After over two decades of service, USS Lang was decommissioned on December 12, 1991, and later sold for scrapping.

USS Leary (DD-879) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. Initially deployed on postwar operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, Leary later underwent conversion to a radar picket destroyer (DDR-879) during the early Cold War, enhancing her air defense capabilities. Throughout her service, she participated in various NATO exercises, crisis responses such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, and routine patrols to project American naval presence. After nearly three decades of active duty, USS Leary was decommissioned in 1973 and subsequently transferred to the Pakistani Navy, where she served as Shah Jahan.

USS Lockwood (FF-1064) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1971. Named after Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, a prominent submarine commander during World War II, the ship was primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare and escort duties during the Cold War. Throughout her service, Lockwood participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as supporting US interests in the Western Pacific. After more than two decades of service, USS Lockwood was decommissioned in 1992 and subsequently transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Karadeniz (F-255).

USS Monterey (CG 61) is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on June 16, 1990. Named after the Battle of Monterey during the Mexican-American War, the ship has played a crucial role in air defense, missile strikes, and maritime security operations. Throughout her service, Monterey has participated in numerous deployments, including support for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as NATO ballistic missile defense missions in Europe. The cruiser has been recognized for excellence in combat readiness and has contributed significantly to joint and allied naval operations around the world.

USS New (DD-818) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1946. Named after Rear Admiral Spencer S. New, the ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in a variety of operations including Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, NATO exercises, and antisubmarine warfare missions. USS New also provided naval gunfire support during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, earning several battle stars for her service. After decades of active duty, she was decommissioned in 1976 and later transferred to South Korea, where she served as ROKS Taejon (DD-918).

USS NEWPORT (LST-1179) was the lead ship of her class of tank landing ships in the United States Navy, commissioned in 1969. Designed with a unique bow ramp and higher speed than previous LSTs, she served as a critical asset for amphibious operations, logistics, and training exercises during the Cold War era. USS NEWPORT participated in numerous deployments, including Mediterranean cruises and operations in the Caribbean and Atlantic, supporting both NATO and U.S. Marine Corps missions. After more than two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1992 and later transferred to the Mexican Navy.

The USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7) was the lead ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigates, commissioned by the United States Navy on December 17, 1977. Named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero of the War of 1812, the ship was designed for anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare missions, serving as a versatile escort in carrier and amphibious strike groups. Throughout her service, FFG-7 participated in numerous operations, including Cold War patrols and Middle East deployments, showcasing the class's reliability and adaptability. Decommissioned on September 20, 1997, the USS Oliver Hazard Perry set the standard for a class of ships that served the U.S. and allied navies for decades.

USS Pargo (SSN-650) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on January 5, 1968. Named after the pargo fish, she played a vital role during the Cold War, conducting numerous intelligence-gathering, surveillance, and under-ice operations, including important Arctic missions. Pargo was noted for her pioneering efforts in polar navigation and under-ice research, earning multiple awards for operational excellence. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned on April 14, 1995.

USS Pine Island (AV-12) was a Currituck-class seaplane tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She played a vital support role in the final months of World War II, tending seaplanes involved in reconnaissance and rescue missions in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Pine Island participated in Operation Highjump, the U.S. Navy’s Antarctic research expedition from 1946 to 1947. The ship saw service again during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing aviation support and logistics before being decommissioned in 1967.

USS Repose (AH-16) was a Haven-class hospital ship commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1945. Originally serving in the final months of World War II, she provided vital medical support in the Pacific theater. Repose was reactivated for both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where she became known as the "Angel of the Orient" for her life-saving care to thousands of wounded service members. After decades of distinguished service, USS Repose was decommissioned in 1970.

USS Richmond K. Turner (DLG-20/CG-20) was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964. Named after Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, the ship served extensively during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and participating in search and rescue missions. Over its career, Richmond K. Turner took part in numerous Cold War operations and multinational exercises, reflecting the Navy's global commitments. The ship was reclassified as a cruiser (CG-20) in 1975 and remained in active service until its decommissioning in 1995.

USS Saginaw (LST-1188) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1971. Designed to support amphibious operations, she featured a unique bow ramp and could transport tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto shore without port facilities. Throughout her service, Saginaw participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and provided critical support during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1980s. Decommissioned in 1994, she was later transferred to the Royal Australian Navy and renamed HMAS Kanimbla (L 51).

USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635) was a James Madison-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1964. Named after the longtime Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the submarine played a critical role in the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrent during the Cold War, conducting numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Throughout her service, Sam Rayburn demonstrated the reliability and endurance of the Navy’s “41 for Freedom” ballistic missile submarines. She was decommissioned in 1989 and subsequently converted to a moored training ship, continuing her service to the Navy in a non-combat capacity.

USS Sarsfield (DD-837) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. Named after Eugene Sarsfield, a World War II naval officer killed in action, the destroyer served primarily during the Cold War, participating in various Atlantic and Mediterranean operations, including NATO exercises and patrols. Sarsfield played a vital role during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 by enforcing the naval quarantine of Cuba. The ship continued to serve until 1977, after which it was transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where it was renamed ROCS Te Yang (DD-925).

USS Scamp (SSN-588) was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1961. Built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Scamp was among the early generation of nuclear submarines, designed for high speed and improved underwater performance. Throughout her service, Scamp conducted a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare exercises, intelligence gathering, and deterrent patrols during the tense years of the Cold War. After more than two decades of active duty, she was decommissioned in 1988 and later scrapped as part of the Navy’s Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Skipjack (SSN-585) was the lead ship of her class and the first nuclear-powered submarine to incorporate the revolutionary teardrop-shaped hull design, which greatly enhanced underwater speed and maneuverability. Commissioned on April 15, 1959, Skipjack set new standards for submarine performance and served as a prototype for future fast-attack submarines of the U.S. Navy. Throughout her career, she participated in numerous Cold War patrols and exercises, demonstrating the effectiveness of nuclear propulsion and modern submarine tactics. After over 30 years of service, USS Skipjack was decommissioned on April 19, 1990.

USS **Steinaker (DD-863)** was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, named in honor of Private First Class Donald B. Steinaker, a Marine awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for heroism during World War II. Initially serving with the Atlantic Fleet, Steinaker participated in Cold War patrols, NATO exercises, and the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade. The ship underwent a major FRAM (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) overhaul in the 1960s, enhancing her anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Steinaker also served extensively during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support before being decommissioned in 1982 and later transferred to the Mexican Navy.

USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on 17 April 1982. Named in honor of Ensign Stephen W. Groves, a naval aviator who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Midway, the ship served in various operations including drug interdiction, maritime security, and multinational exercises. Throughout her service, Stephen W. Groves participated in significant missions such as humanitarian assistance in Haiti and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Africa. After three decades of active duty, the frigate was decommissioned on 24 February 2012.

USS Thorn (DD-988) was a Spruance-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned on February 16, 1980. Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Thorn served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, deployments, and operations including NATO exercises and Middle East Force deployments. The ship was notable for its roles in maritime interdiction and escort missions, especially during heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. After over two decades of service, USS Thorn was decommissioned on August 25, 2004, and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2006.

USS **Tidewater** (AD-31) was a Shenandoah-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Serving primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, she provided vital repair and logistical support to destroyers and other ships, particularly during the Cold War era. Tidewater participated in numerous fleet exercises, NATO operations, and deployments to the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet. After more than two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1971 and later transferred to the Venezuelan Navy, where she served as Puerto Santo (A-24).

USS Topeka (CLG-8) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, originally commissioned in 1944 during World War II. She served in the Pacific theater, participating in operations off Okinawa and supporting the occupation of Japan. After the war, Topeka was decommissioned but later modernized and recommissioned in 1960 as a guided missile cruiser (CLG-8), equipped with the Talos missile system. During the 1960s, she served extensively in the Western Pacific, including multiple deployments to Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and serving as flagship for various task groups before her final decommissioning in 1969.

USS **Virgo (AKA-20)** was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1943. She served prominently in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major operations such as the invasions of Saipan, Leyte, and Okinawa, where she delivered troops, equipment, and supplies under combat conditions. After the war, Virgo supported occupation forces in Asia and was decommissioned in 1946, only to be recommissioned for service during the Korean War and later the Vietnam War, providing vital logistical support. The USS Virgo earned multiple battle stars for her distinguished service before being decommissioned for the final time in 1971.

USS Waldron (DD-699) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She saw active service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in operations such as the Battle of Okinawa and supporting carrier task forces with anti-aircraft and anti-submarine duties. After the war, Waldron served in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. She continued to serve through the Cold War era, including deployments with the U.S. 6th and 7th Fleets, until her decommissioning in 1973.

Attack Squadron 172 (VA-172), known as the "Blue Bolts," was a United States Navy attack squadron established in August 1945 as VBF-82. The squadron was redesignated VA-172 in August 1948. VA-172 served with distinction during the Korean War, flying the F2H Banshee and later the A-4 Skyhawk on numerous combat missions from aircraft carriers. The squadron participated in several major deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, supporting U.S. interests during the Cold War. VA-172 was disestablished on January 15, 1971, after more than 25 years of service.