U.S. Navy

USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) was the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine of the George Washington class, commissioned into the United States Navy on April 9, 1960. Designed to carry Polaris ballistic missiles, she played a critical role in the U.S. strategic deterrent during the Cold War. Patrick Henry completed over 31 deterrent patrols, primarily in the Atlantic Ocean, before being converted to an attack submarine (SSN) in 1982 as her missile systems were removed. The submarine was decommissioned on May 25, 1984, after more than two decades of service.

USS Pledge (MSO-492) was an Agile-class minesweeper of the United States Navy, commissioned on 20 October 1955. Designed for mine countermeasure operations, she served extensively in the Pacific, participating in training exercises and supporting fleet operations during the Cold War. The ship contributed to several multinational exercises and operated in areas such as the Western Pacific and off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. USS Pledge was decommissioned on 1 January 1994 after nearly four decades of service and was subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS *Plymouth Rock* (LSD-29) was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1954. Designed to support amphibious operations, she provided transport and launch capabilities for landing craft, vehicles, and troops. *Plymouth Rock* participated in numerous exercises and operations along the Atlantic coast, the Caribbean, and occasionally in the Mediterranean, contributing to Cold War readiness and rapid deployment capabilities. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1983 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS **Ponchatoula (AO-148)** was a Neosho-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1956. Designed to refuel ships at sea, she played a vital support role during major operations, including the Vietnam War, where she serviced aircraft carriers and other vessels off the coast of Southeast Asia. Throughout her career, Ponchatoula participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific, earning multiple awards for her service. Decommissioned in 1992, she was later transferred to the Maritime Administration and eventually scrapped, leaving behind a distinguished legacy of logistical excellence.

USS Preston (DD-795) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in March 1944. She saw extensive service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, providing escort, screening, and shore bombardment support during key operations such as the Marianas, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa campaigns. After World War II, Preston was decommissioned but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War, where she participated in patrol and bombardment duties. The destroyer was finally decommissioned in 1969 and later transferred to Turkey, serving as TCG Icel (D 344).

USS Radford (DD-446) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in July 1942. She served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major campaigns such as the Solomon Islands, the Battle of Kolombangara, and the Philippines. Radford was renowned for her aggressive anti-submarine and rescue operations, notably rescuing hundreds of survivors from sunken ships. After the war, she saw service during the Korean War before being decommissioned in 1946, briefly recommissioned in 1950, and ultimately struck from the naval register in 1969.

USS Rainier (AOE-7) was a Sacramento-class fast combat support ship commissioned into the United States Navy on January 21, 1995. Designed to provide rapid underway replenishment of fuel, ammunition, and supplies, Rainier played a crucial logistical role supporting carrier strike groups and other naval vessels. The ship served in various operations, including deployments to the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf, enhancing fleet operational readiness. Rainier was decommissioned on August 29, 2003, and later transferred to the Military Sealift Command as USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7), continuing her service as a vital replenishment asset.

USS Rogers (DD-876) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Named after Rear Admiral John Rodgers and his family, the ship served with distinction during the final months of World War II and in subsequent conflicts. Throughout her career, Rogers participated in operations during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening carrier task forces. She also served in the Vietnam War, conducting shore bombardments and patrol duties before being decommissioned in 1981 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy.

USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) was a Currituck-class seaplane tender commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1945. Although too late for combat service in World War II, she played a crucial support role during the Korean War, tending seaplanes engaged in reconnaissance and patrol missions. The ship also operated extensively throughout the Pacific, supporting U.S. naval aviation and participating in Cold War operations, including deployments to Taiwan and Vietnam. USS Salisbury Sound was decommissioned in 1967, having served as a vital asset for maritime patrol and seaplane operations during her active years.

USS San Marcos (LSD-25) was a Casa Grande-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1945. She served in the final months of World War II, transporting landing craft and equipment in the Pacific theater. After the war, San Marcos supported occupation duties in Asia and later took part in Cold War amphibious training and operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean with the Sixth Fleet. Decommissioned in 1971, the ship was transferred to the Spanish Navy, where she served as Galicia (TA-01) until 1989.

USS Satyr (ARL-23) was a landing craft repair ship commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Originally laid down as LST-1097 in 1944, she was quickly converted to an Achelous-class repair ship to support landing craft operations in the Pacific Theater. After serving in the latter stages of World War II, Satyr was decommissioned but later recommissioned during the Vietnam War, where she provided vital repair and support services to riverine and coastal forces. The ship was finally decommissioned in 1971, ending a distinguished career of naval service spanning nearly three decades.

USS Schenectady (LST-1185) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned into the United States Navy on 13 June 1970. Designed to transport and deploy tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore, she supported amphibious operations throughout her service. Schenectady participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific, contributing to U.S. naval readiness during the Cold War era. She was decommissioned on 15 December 1993 and later sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise in 2001.

USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1965. Named after the South American liberator Simón Bolívar, the submarine conducted strategic deterrent patrols during the Cold War, armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Over nearly three decades of service, Simon Bolivar played a key role in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear deterrence mission, conducting numerous patrols in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The submarine was decommissioned in 1995 and subsequently scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Taconic (AGC-17/LCC-17) was a Mount McKinley-class amphibious force command ship commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1946. Designed to serve as a floating headquarters, Taconic played a critical role in coordinating amphibious operations and command communications during her service. She operated primarily in the Atlantic and Caribbean, participating in major exercises, NATO operations, and serving as flagship for amphibious forces. Decommissioned in January 1969, USS Taconic contributed significantly to the Navy’s post-World War II amphibious and command capabilities.

USS Talbot County (LST-1153) was a Terrebonne Parish-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1953. Designed for amphibious operations, she played a key role in transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment to shore during training exercises and deployments throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters during the Cold War. Talbot County participated in numerous NATO exercises and supported various contingency operations, reflecting the Navy's emphasis on rapid, flexible response capabilities during this era. She was decommissioned in 1972 and later transferred to the Venezuelan Navy, where she continued to serve under a new name.

USS Talladega (APA-208) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the U.S. Navy in October 1944. She played a crucial role in World War II, notably participating in the invasion of Iwo Jima, where she landed elements of the 5th Marine Division. After the war, Talladega supported occupation duties in the Far East and assisted in Operation Magic Carpet, returning American servicemen home. The ship was later recommissioned for service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars before being decommissioned in 1969.

USS Thuban (AKA-19) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in February 1944. She played a significant role in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in key amphibious operations such as the invasions of Saipan, Guam, Leyte, and Okinawa. Throughout her service, Thuban transported troops, vehicles, and supplies, supporting frontline assault forces under combat conditions. After the war, she continued logistical duties before being decommissioned in 1956.

USS Tullibee (SSN-597) was a unique United States Navy submarine, commissioned in 1960 as the first submarine designed specifically for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Incorporating innovative features such as a bow-mounted spherical sonar array and turbo-electric drive, Tullibee set the standard for future ASW submarine designs. The vessel served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, conducting numerous patrols, exercises, and research missions during the Cold War. After a distinguished career spanning over 28 years, USS Tullibee was decommissioned in 1988.

USS Vogelgesang (DD-862) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in April 1945. Named after Ensign Charles Vogelgesang, she served in the final stages of World War II and participated actively in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing naval gunfire support and screening for aircraft carriers. Throughout the Cold War, Vogelgesang took part in numerous NATO exercises and undertook Mediterranean and Atlantic deployments, showcasing American naval presence worldwide. After over three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1976 and later transferred to the Mexican Navy, where she continued her career as ARM Quetzalcoatl.

USS W.S. SIMS (FF-1059) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1970. Named after Admiral William Sowden Sims, the ship was primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort, and maritime patrol duties during the Cold War. W.S. SIMS participated in multiple exercises and deployments across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean, often operating with NATO allies. After nearly two decades of service, the frigate was decommissioned in September 1991 and later sunk as a target during naval exercises.

USS **Wexford County (LST-1168)** was a Terrebonne Parish-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1953. Designed to transport and deploy tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore, she played a significant role in amphibious operations during the Cold War era. The vessel supported training exercises, logistics operations, and participated in various deployments, including service in the Pacific Fleet and missions related to the Vietnam War. Decommissioned in 1971, USS Wexford County was later transferred to the Spanish Navy, where she served as *Martin Alvarez (L-12)* before being retired.

USS **Whale (SSN-638)** was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1968. Designed for both anti-submarine and anti-surface ship warfare, she played a significant role during the Cold War, participating in vital surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions. Whale completed numerous deployments, including operations in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and was recognized for her operational excellence. After nearly three decades of service, USS Whale was decommissioned in 1996 and later scrapped through the Navy’s Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.

USS **William M. Wood (DD-715)** was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in November 1945. Although she missed active World War II service, the ship served extensively during the Cold War, including multiple Mediterranean deployments and participation in the Korean War, where she provided naval gunfire support and screening duties. The destroyer also took part in the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade in 1962 and later supported operations during the Vietnam War. Decommissioned in 1976, USS William M. Wood was transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Kocatepe (D354) until 1995.

Attack Squadron 212 (VA-212), known as the "Rampant Raiders," was established by the United States Navy on June 20, 1955. The squadron was based at Naval Air Station Moffett Field and later at NAS Lemoore, flying a variety of attack aircraft, including the AD Skyraider and the A-4 Skyhawk. VA-212 participated in several major operations during the Vietnam War, conducting strike missions and close air support from aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific. The squadron was disestablished on December 12, 1975, after two decades of distinguished service.