U.S. Navy

USS Florikan (ASR-9) was a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, Florikan played a crucial role in supporting submarine operations in the Pacific, conducting rescue and salvage missions, and assisting damaged submarines. She earned three battle stars for her wartime service, notably participating in the rescue of survivors from the sunken USS Sculpin (SS-191). After the war, Florikan continued to serve in training and support roles until her decommissioning in 1991.

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is a United States Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, commissioned on January 10, 2009. Named after the 41st President of the United States and former naval aviator, the carrier has served as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 2. USS George H.W. Bush has participated in multiple deployments, supporting operations in the Middle East, including Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS. The ship is known for its advanced technologies and has played a key role in demonstrating American naval power and supporting international security missions.

USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient William D. Hammerberg, the ship was primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare operations during the Cold War. Throughout her service, Hammerberg participated in a variety of exercises and deployments, including NATO operations and training cruises in the Atlantic and Caribbean. She was decommissioned in 1974 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Hank (DD-702) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in August 1944. Named after Lieutenant Commander William Edwin Hank, she participated in World War II, supporting operations during the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and conducting anti-aircraft and shore bombardment missions. USS Hank also served in the Korean War, providing gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. After years of distinguished service, she was decommissioned in 1972 and later transferred to Argentina, where she served as ARA Seguí.

USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) is a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship commissioned into the United States Navy on January 7, 1995. Designed to transport and launch amphibious craft, vehicles, and Marines, she has participated in numerous operations, humanitarian missions, and joint exercises in the Pacific and Middle East regions. Notably, Harpers Ferry provided disaster relief in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and has supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The ship continues to serve as a vital component of U.S. Navy amphibious readiness, often deployed with Expeditionary Strike Groups.

USS Haven (AH-12) was a Haven-class hospital ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She served in the Pacific near the end of World War II, providing medical care to wounded servicemen and participating in the postwar occupation of Japan. During the Korean War, USS Haven played a crucial role by treating thousands of casualties off the Korean Peninsula. After her distinguished service, the ship was decommissioned in 1957 and later served as a civilian hospital ship before being scrapped in the 1980s.

USS **Higbee (DD-806)** was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1945, named after Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee, the first woman to receive the Navy Cross. She served in the final months of World War II, participating in operations off Okinawa and Japan. During the Korean War, Higbee provided naval gunfire support and screening for carrier task forces. In the Vietnam War, she conducted shore bombardments and carrier escort duties, earning multiple battle stars before being decommissioned in 1979 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy.

USS Hissem (DE-400) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, Hissem served primarily in the Atlantic, escorting convoys to North Africa and Europe and participating in anti-submarine warfare operations. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 but later recommissioned during the Cold War to serve in various roles, including radar picket duty in the North Atlantic. USS Hissem was finally decommissioned in 1969, having earned distinction for her service in both wartime and peacetime operations.

USS Illusive (MSO-448) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1953. Designed for clearing naval mines, she served primarily in the Pacific, participating in training exercises, fleet operations, and joint maneuvers with allied navies during the Cold War. Illusive conducted several Far East deployments, including missions off Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, supporting U.S. Seventh Fleet operations and ensuring safe sea lanes. After decades of service, the ship was decommissioned in 1990 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS John A. Bole (DD-755) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in March 1945. She served in the final months of World War II, providing escort and screening duties for fast carrier task forces in the Pacific. During the Korean War, John A. Bole participated in shore bombardment, blockade, and patrol operations, earning multiple battle stars. The destroyer continued to serve during the Vietnam War, supporting naval gunfire missions before being decommissioned in 1970 and transferred to Taiwan.

USS John R. Craig (DD-885) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in March 1945. Named after Lieutenant Commander John R. Craig, a World War II submarine hero, the ship saw extensive service during the late stages of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Throughout her career, John R. Craig performed a variety of roles including anti-submarine warfare, escort duties, and naval gunfire support. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1979 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea, where she served as ROKS Jeong Ju until her final decommissioning.

USS John W. Weeks (DD-701) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1944. Named in honor of Rear Admiral John W. Weeks, the ship served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in operations such as the Battle of Okinawa and providing vital escort and gunfire support. Following the war, John W. Weeks was active during the Korean War and later assignments during the Cold War, including Mediterranean and Atlantic deployments. The ship was decommissioned in 1970, concluding over two decades of dedicated service to the U.S. Navy.

USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned into the United States Navy in 1965. Named after the famed Hawaiian king, she conducted numerous strategic deterrent patrols during the Cold War armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. In 1992, Kamehameha was converted to a SEAL delivery and special operations platform, redesignated as SSN-642, and continued to serve in this capacity until her decommissioning in 2002. Over her 37 years of service, she became one of the longest-serving submarines in U.S. Navy history.

USS *Kansas City* (LCS-22) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship commissioned into the United States Navy on June 20, 2020. Designed for operations close to shore, the ship features a trimaran hull and modular mission packages for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine missions. Homeported in San Diego, California, *Kansas City* has participated in fleet exercises and operational deployments, contributing to maritime security and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. The vessel honors the city of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third Navy ship to bear the name.

USS Kauffman (FFG-59) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on February 28, 1987. Named in honor of Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman and Rear Admiral Draper L. Kauffman, she served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet. Throughout her career, USS Kauffman participated in numerous operations, including drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean and deployments in support of maritime security and international exercises. The frigate was decommissioned on September 18, 2015, marking the end of nearly three decades of distinguished service.

USS Key West (SSN-722) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on September 12, 1987. Built at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, Key West has participated in numerous operations, including deployments to the Western Pacific and support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The submarine has conducted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as joint exercises with allied navies. Throughout its service, USS Key West has exemplified the versatility and endurance of the Los Angeles-class submarines in supporting U.S. maritime strategy.

USS Laws (DD-558) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1943. Named after Alexander Laws, she served prominently in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in significant operations including the Marianas, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa campaigns. Laws provided vital anti-aircraft and fire support, screening aircraft carriers and assisting in shore bombardments. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946, briefly recommissioned during the Korean War, and finally decommissioned in 1964.

USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946, named in honor of Marine Private First Class Leonard F. Mason, a Medal of Honor recipient. The ship served extensively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, Leonard F. Mason participated in operations such as "Sea Dragon" and performed search and rescue missions. Decommissioned in 1976, she was later transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece, serving as HS Leon until her final decommissioning.

USS Lester (DE-1022) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned into the United States Navy in 1957. As part of Escort Squadron Eight (Cortron Eight), she was frequently deployed to the Mediterranean, where she operated out of the Port of Naples, Italy, during the height of the Cold War. While stationed in Naples, USS Lester participated in numerous NATO exercises, conducted anti-submarine warfare patrols, and provided crucial support to allied naval forces in the region. Her service contributed to strengthening NATO maritime security and enhancing cooperation between U.S. and European naval units until her decommissioning in 1973.

USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, named in honor of legendary Marine Corps Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller. Commissioned on 17 April 1982, the ship served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, escort duties, and maritime security operations throughout the 1980s and 1990s. FFG-23 also conducted deployments in support of U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf and other global hotspots, demonstrating versatility and reliability. After nearly two decades of service, USS Lewis B. Puller was decommissioned on 18 September 1998 and later transferred to Egypt.

USS Leyte (CV-32) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1946, named after the pivotal World War II Battle of Leyte Gulf. Initially serving in the Atlantic Fleet, Leyte participated in training and readiness operations before being deployed to the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet during the late 1940s. During the Korean War, Leyte was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet and conducted air strikes against North Korean and Chinese forces from late 1950 to early 1951. After her Korean War service, Leyte was converted to an anti-submarine warfare carrier (CVS-32) before being decommissioned in 1959.

USS Louisville (SSN 724) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on November 8, 1986. Throughout her distinguished service, Louisville participated in multiple deployments, notably launching Tomahawk cruise missiles during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, becoming the first submarine to do so in combat. She later supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, again utilizing Tomahawk missiles against enemy targets. After more than three decades of active service, USS Louisville was decommissioned on March 9, 2021.

USS Marias (AO-57) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. During World War II, she played a critical role in fueling naval vessels at sea, supporting major operations in the Pacific Theater, including the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa campaigns. After the war, Marias continued to serve through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, ensuring sustained fleet operations through underway replenishment. She was decommissioned in 1973 after nearly three decades of vital logistical service.

USS Markab (AR-23) was a Dixie-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1941. Originally launched as a cargo ship, she was converted to a repair ship and served extensively in the Pacific Theater during World War II, providing maintenance and support to frontline vessels. Markab continued to serve through the Korean War, offering vital repair services to the U.S. Seventh Fleet. She was decommissioned in 1969 after a distinguished career supporting naval operations across multiple conflicts.