U.S. Navy

USS Francis Hammond (DE-1067) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Named in honor of Hospitalman Francis C. Hammond, a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, the ship primarily operated in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Francis Hammond participated in numerous exercises, anti-submarine warfare operations, and provided escort duties for carrier groups. The ship was decommissioned in 1992 and later transferred to the Republic of Turkey, where it served as TCG Derya (F-247).

USS Gearing (DD-710) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1945. Arriving too late to see combat in World War II, she participated in post-war occupation duties and played an active role during the Cold War, including service with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean and involvement in the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade. USS Gearing underwent a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) upgrade in the early 1960s, enhancing her anti-submarine warfare capabilities. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1973 and later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Muavenet.

USS Groton (SSN-694) was a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy. She was commissioned on July 8, 1978, and named after Groton, Connecticut, a significant center for submarine construction. Throughout her service, USS Groton conducted a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare exercises, intelligence gathering, and support of fleet operations during the Cold War. After nearly two decades of service, she was decommissioned on November 7, 1997, and later entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Hamner (DD-718) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Named after Henry Rawlings Hamner, she served prominently during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. In the Vietnam War, Hamner undertook multiple deployments, supporting shore bombardments and search-and-rescue missions. After decades of service, the destroyer was decommissioned in 1979 and was later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Alcitepe (D 346).

USS Hawkins (DD-873) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned in 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. Initially serving with the Pacific Fleet, the ship participated in occupation duties in Japan and later supported operations during the Korean War, providing escort and shore bombardment services. In the 1960s, Hawkins was converted to a radar picket destroyer (DDR-873) and played a significant role during the Vietnam War, conducting patrol and gunfire support missions. After decades of service, USS Hawkins was decommissioned in 1979 and subsequently transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy.

USS Helena (CA-75) was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy in September 1945, shortly after the end of World War II. She played a significant role during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces and participating in the Inchon landings in 1950. Helena later served in the Pacific, conducting patrols and training missions during the early years of the Cold War. Decommissioned in 1963, USS Helena earned several battle stars for her distinguished service before being sold for scrap.

USS *Hue City* (CG-66) was a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned on 14 September 1991. Named in honor of the Battle of Huế during the Vietnam War, she was the only U.S. warship named after a Vietnam battle. During her service, *Hue City* participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, and supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The ship was awarded several unit commendations before being decommissioned on 23 September 2022.

USS John A. Moore (FFG-19) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on 14 November 1981. Named in honor of Commander John Anderson Moore, a decorated World War II submarine commander, the ship served primarily in the Pacific Fleet. Throughout her service, John A. Moore conducted multiple deployments, including operations in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War and participating in multinational exercises to promote maritime security. The frigate was decommissioned on 1 September 2000 and later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she serves as TCG Gediz (F 495).

USS John Hancock (DD-981) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on March 10, 1979. Named after the prominent American patriot John Hancock, the ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in numerous exercises and deployments in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Persian Gulf. Notably, USS John Hancock supported Operation Earnest Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War in the late 1980s. After nearly 22 years of service, the destroyer was decommissioned on September 16, 2000, and later sunk as a target during naval exercises in 2004.

USS John L. Hall (FFG-32) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on June 26, 1982. Named in honor of Admiral John L. Hall, Jr., the ship served with distinction during the Cold War and post-Cold War eras, participating in operations such as maritime security patrols and multinational exercises. Throughout her service, she deployed to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Persian Gulf, supporting missions including anti-narcotics operations and Operation Enduring Freedom. USS John L. Hall was decommissioned on March 9, 2012, after nearly 30 years of active service.

USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on December 18, 1993. Named after the American Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones, the ship has played a key role in missile defense and maritime security operations. Over its service, USS John Paul Jones has conducted numerous deployments in the Pacific and Middle Eastern regions, participating in joint exercises, freedom of navigation operations, and real-world combat missions. Notably, the ship has served as a test platform for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system, achieving several successful intercepts in missile defense tests.

USS John R. Perry (DE-1034) was a Claud Jones-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1959. Named in honor of Rear Admiral John R. Perry, the ship primarily operated in the Atlantic and Caribbean, conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises and supporting fleet operations during the Cold War. USS John R. Perry participated in various training missions, goodwill visits, and NATO exercises, enhancing interoperability with allied navies. The ship was decommissioned in 1973 and later transferred to the Indonesian Navy, where it served as KRI Samadikun (341).

USS John W. Thomason (DD-760) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Named after Medal of Honor recipient First Lieutenant John William Thomason, the ship served with distinction during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. The destroyer participated in several important operations, earning numerous battle stars for her service. Decommissioned in 1970, USS John W. Thomason was later transferred to the Republic of China Navy, where she served as ROCS Nan Yang (DD-17).

USS KING (DLG-10), later reclassified as a guided missile cruiser (CG-10), was commissioned in 1960 as the lead ship of her class. Named after Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, she served prominently with the U.S. Pacific Fleet during the Cold War. USS KING participated in multiple deployments to the Western Pacific, providing anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and missile support during the Vietnam War. She was decommissioned in 1977, having contributed significantly to naval operations and technological advancements in guided missile warfare.

USS **Lloyd Thomas (DD-764)** was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1947. Named in honor of Ensign Lloyd Thomas, a Navy Cross recipient killed during the Battle of Midway, she served extensively during the Cold War era. The vessel participated in a variety of operations, including North Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, and provided escort duties for aircraft carriers. Lloyd Thomas was later transferred to the Republic of China Navy in 1972, where she served as **ROCS Dang Yang (DD-911)** until her decommissioning.

USS Long Beach (CGN-9), commissioned in 1961, was the world’s first nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser and the only ship of her class in the United States Navy. Designed during the Cold War, she featured advanced radar and missile systems, including the Talos and Terrier surface-to-air missiles, making her a formidable air defense platform. Throughout her service, Long Beach participated in key operations such as the Vietnam War, where she provided air defense for carrier task forces, and later supported operations during the Gulf War. After a distinguished career demonstrating the utility of nuclear propulsion in surface warships, she was decommissioned in 1995.

USS Makin Island (LHD-8) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned into the United States Navy on October 24, 2009. Named after the daring 1942 Marine raid on Makin Island during World War II, the ship is notable for being the first of its class powered by a hybrid electric drive, enhancing operational efficiency. Since her commissioning, Makin Island has deployed multiple times to the Pacific and Middle Eastern regions, supporting amphibious operations, humanitarian missions, and joint exercises with allied navies. The ship has played a vital role in power projection and rapid crisis response as part of Expeditionary Strike Groups.

USS Mispillion (AO-105) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Designed to provide underway replenishment of fuel and supplies, she served extensively in the Pacific during the closing months of World War II and continued her vital support role during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over her long career, Mispillion earned several battle stars for her service, demonstrating the importance of logistical support to naval operations. She was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy in 1974, later serving with the Military Sealift Command before her final retirement.

USS Nathan Hale (SSBN-623) was a Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1963. Named after the American Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale, she played a critical role in the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent during the Cold War, conducting numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Throughout her service, the submarine contributed to the nation’s undersea deterrence force, ensuring a continuous at-sea presence. USS Nathan Hale was decommissioned in 1986 and subsequently scrapped as part of the Navy’s nuclear-powered ship recycling program.

USS Opportune (ARS-41) was a Bolster-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Built to provide salvage, towing, and rescue operations, she served extensively during the latter stages of World War II and throughout the Cold War era. The ship supported fleet operations by assisting damaged vessels, conducting towing missions, and participating in recovery efforts, notably in both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. USS Opportune remained in active service until her decommissioning in 1993, after nearly five decades of distinguished service.

USS Ozbourn (DD-846) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Named after Marine Corporal Joseph W. Ozbourn, a Medal of Honor recipient, the ship served actively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and engaging in anti-submarine operations. Throughout the Cold War, Ozbourn participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including service during the Vietnam War where she conducted shore bombardments and plane guard duties. After decades of distinguished service, USS Ozbourn was decommissioned in 1975.

USS Pawcatuck (AO-108) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Designed to provide vital underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to naval vessels, she served extensively during the Cold War, supporting both Atlantic and Mediterranean operations. Pawcatuck participated in numerous NATO exercises and played a crucial logistical role during events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. She continued her service until being decommissioned in 1975, after nearly three decades of distinguished support to the fleet.

USS Perkins (DD-877) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, named in honor of Commodore George H. Perkins. After World War II, she served in various roles, including occupation duty in Asia and participation in the Korean War, where she provided naval gunfire support and screened aircraft carriers. Throughout the Vietnam War, USS Perkins was actively engaged in operations such as "Operation Sea Dragon" and "Operation Market Time," conducting shore bombardments and patrolling for enemy vessels. Decommissioned in 1973, she was transferred to the Argentine Navy, where she served as ARA Comodoro Py (D-27) until her retirement.

USS Pharris (DE/FF-1094) was a Knox-class frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1974. Named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Commander Jackson C. Pharris, the ship served primarily in anti-submarine warfare and escort duties during the Cold War. Throughout her service, Pharris participated in several major NATO exercises and deployments to the Mediterranean and Caribbean, supporting U.S. and allied operations. She was reclassified from a destroyer escort (DE) to a frigate (FF) in 1975 and was decommissioned in 1992, later being transferred to the Mexican Navy.