U.S. Navy

USS Silversides (SSN-679) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on May 5, 1972. Named after the silversides fish, she conducted numerous Cold War patrols, specializing in anti-submarine warfare and intelligence-gathering missions. Throughout her active service, Silversides participated in fleet exercises and supported national defense objectives, operating primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The submarine was decommissioned on July 21, 1994, after over two decades of distinguished service.

The USS Simon Lake (AS-33) was a submarine tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964, serving as a critical support ship for submarine operations during the Cold War. The ship included a Marine Detachment tasked with providing onboard security, ceremonial duties, and augmenting ship’s defense in port or during transit. The Marine Detachment played a vital role in ensuring the safety of nuclear weapons and sensitive equipment stored or serviced aboard. Throughout its service, the USS Simon Lake and its Marine Detachment supported submarine fleets in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, notably providing logistical and technical assistance at forward bases such as Holy Loch, Scotland, and La Maddalena, Italy, until the ship’s decommissioning in 1999.

The USS Skagit (AKA-105) was a Tolland-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She served in the closing months of World War II, transporting cargo and supporting occupation forces in the Pacific. After the war, Skagit was placed in reserve but was recommissioned during the Korean War, where she played a vital role in supplying troops and equipment. Throughout her service, the ship also participated in various amphibious exercises and humanitarian missions before being decommissioned in 1969.

USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1956. Named after President Rutherford B. Hayes's Ohio estate, Spiegel Grove served primarily in amphibious operations, transporting Marines, vehicles, and landing craft during the Cold War era. The ship participated in numerous exercises, deployments, and humanitarian missions, including support during the Cuban Missile Crisis and operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. After over three decades of service, USS Spiegel Grove was decommissioned in 1989 and later sunk as an artificial reef off the coast of Florida in 2002.

USS St. Clair County (LST-1096) was a tank landing ship of the LST-542 class commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1945. Designed for amphibious operations, she served during the closing months of World War II, transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies across the Pacific theater. After the war, she supported occupation duties in the Far East before being decommissioned in July 1946. Reactivated for service during the Cold War, USS St. Clair County continued her service with the U.S. Navy and later with the Military Sea Transportation Service until her final decommissioning and eventual transfer to the Republic of Singapore Navy in 1971.

USS Stickell (DD-888) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, named in honor of Lieutenant John H. Stickell, a decorated World War II aviator. After World War II, Stickell served extensively in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in Cold War operations and NATO exercises. During the Korean War, she provided gunfire support and performed escort duties, later undergoing a FRAM (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) upgrade in the early 1960s to enhance her anti-submarine capabilities. Stickell continued active service through the Vietnam War before being decommissioned in 1972 and subsequently transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece.

USS Strong (DD-758) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in the United States Navy, commissioned on March 8, 1945. Named after Rear Admiral James H. Strong, the ship served during the final months of World War II, conducting operations in the Pacific theater. After the war, USS Strong participated in occupation duties in East Asia and supported United Nations forces during the Korean War, providing gunfire support and screening for carrier task forces. The destroyer continued to serve through the Cold War era, performing training and patrol missions, before being decommissioned in 1973.

USS Sunbird (ASR-15) was a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Designed for submarine rescue and salvage operations, Sunbird served along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean, supporting submarine exercises and participating in fleet operations during the Cold War. She played a key role in training missions and rescue readiness, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the Navy’s growing submarine fleet. USS Sunbird was decommissioned in 1993 after nearly five decades of distinguished service.

USS Supply (AOE-6) was a fast combat support ship of the United States Navy, commissioned on 26 February 1994. As the lead ship of her class, she was designed to quickly deliver ammunition, fuel, and supplies to carrier strike groups at sea, thus extending their operational capability. USS Supply served in support of various fleet operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean and participation in exercises to enhance fleet readiness. She was decommissioned in 2001 and transferred to the Military Sealift Command, where she continued her logistical support missions with a civilian crew as USNS Supply (T-AOE-6).

USS Topeka (CL-8) was an Omaha-class light cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy in December 1925. Throughout the interwar years, she primarily served with the Scouting Force in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, participating in fleet problems and training exercises. During World War II, Topeka was utilized mainly for patrol and escort duties in the Pacific, safeguarding convoys and supporting operations in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1949 and eventually sold for scrap in 1959.

USS Tulare (LKA-112) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1956. Originally designated AKA-112, she was reclassified as LKA-112 in 1969. Throughout her service, Tulare played a crucial role in logistical support, particularly during the Vietnam War, where she transported troops, equipment, and supplies to combat zones. The ship earned several battle stars before being decommissioned in 1986, marking three decades of distinguished service.

USS Vermilion (AKA-107) was a Tolland-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Built for service during World War II, she was too late for major combat but supported postwar occupation duties in the Pacific. During her career, Vermilion participated in various training exercises, amphibious operations, and Cold War deployments, including service during the Korean War. She was decommissioned in 1971 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register, marking the end of her service.

USS Wabash (AOR-5) was a Wichita-class replenishment oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1971. Designed to provide at-sea logistical support, Wabash supplied fuel, ammunition, and stores to carrier battle groups and other naval vessels, significantly enhancing fleet endurance. Throughout her service, Wabash participated in critical operations including the Vietnam War, Cold War deployments, and exercises in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. She was decommissioned in 1994 after over two decades of service, having played a vital role in sustaining U.S. naval operations worldwide.

USS Walker (DD-517) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1943. She served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major operations such as the Solomon Islands campaign, the Marianas, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Walker provided vital escort, shore bombardment, and anti-aircraft defense, earning 11 battle stars for her wartime service. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 and later transferred to the Italian Navy in 1959, where she served as Fante (D-561) until being scrapped in 1977.

USS Wasp (CV-7) was a United States Navy aircraft carrier commissioned in 1940. She played a vital role in the early years of World War II, notably delivering British Spitfire fighters to Malta during Operation Calendar and Operation Bowery in 1942. After joining the Pacific Fleet, Wasp supported the Guadalcanal campaign, providing crucial air cover for Allied operations. On September 15, 1942, USS Wasp was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-19 and, after catastrophic fires, was abandoned and scuttled, resulting in the loss of 193 crew members.

USS Whetstone (LSD-27) was a Casa Grande-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Designed to support amphibious operations, she provided vital logistical and landing support during the Korean War, including the Inchon landing in 1950. Throughout her service, Whetstone also participated in Operation Passage to Freedom in Vietnam (1954) and later supported U.S. military efforts during the Vietnam War. Decommissioned in 1970, USS Whetstone earned several battle stars for her distinguished service before being sold for scrap.

USS Wilkinson (DL-5) was a Mitscher-class destroyer leader commissioned by the United States Navy in 1954. Designed as a flagship for destroyer squadrons, she was equipped with advanced radar and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities for her era. Throughout her service, Wilkinson participated in numerous fleet exercises, NATO operations, and served actively in the Pacific and Atlantic fleets during the Cold War. Decommissioned in 1969, USS Wilkinson contributed significantly to post-World War II naval innovation before being struck from the Naval Vessel Register and eventually scrapped.

USS **Woodrow Wilson** (SSBN-624) was a Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1963. Named after the 28th President of the United States, she conducted numerous deterrent patrols during the Cold War, carrying Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Throughout her service, the submarine played a crucial role in maintaining America’s strategic nuclear deterrence. USS Woodrow Wilson was decommissioned in 1997 and subsequently scrapped, after more than three decades of distinguished service.

Attack Squadron 44 (VA-44), known as the “Hornets,” was a United States Navy attack squadron established in September 1950. Initially flying the F4U Corsair, the squadron later transitioned to jet aircraft, including the F9F Panther and FJ Fury. VA-44 primarily served as a fleet replacement training squadron, responsible for preparing naval aviators and maintenance personnel for carrier-based attack operations. The unit was based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, until its disestablishment on 1 May 1970.

Attack Squadron 195 (VA-195), also known as the "Dambusters," was a distinguished U.S. Navy attack squadron established in 1943. It earned its nickname during the Korean War after a daring 1951 raid that destroyed the heavily defended Hwachon Dam using precision bombing from AD Skyraider aircraft. Throughout its service, VA-195 participated in numerous combat operations, including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, flying a variety of attack aircraft. The squadron was redesignated as VFA-195 in 1985, transitioning to flying F/A-18 Hornets and continuing its legacy as a premier strike fighter squadron in the Pacific Fleet.

Attack Squadron 216 (VA-216), known as the "Black Diamonds," was a United States Navy attack squadron established on March 30, 1955. The squadron was primarily assigned to fly the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, operating from various Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers. VA-216 participated in several significant operations, including combat deployments during the Vietnam War, where it conducted air strikes against enemy targets in Southeast Asia. The unit was disestablished on August 1, 1970, after 15 years of distinguished service.

Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55), also known as the "Warhorses," was a distinguished U.S. Navy attack squadron established in 1943. Initially designated as Torpedo Squadron VT-5, it served with distinction during World War II, participating in key Pacific campaigns aboard aircraft carriers such as USS Yorktown (CV-10). Over its history, VA-55 was re-designated multiple times and flew various aircraft, including the TBM Avenger, A-1 Skyraider, and A-4 Skyhawk. The squadron saw combat in the Korean and Vietnam Wars before it was disestablished in 1975.

VAH-11, known as "Heavy Attack Squadron 11," was a U.S. Navy squadron established on 1 May 1952. The unit originally flew the AJ Savage and later transitioned to the A-3 Skywarrior, specializing in heavy attack and nuclear strike missions during the Cold War. VAH-11 operated from several aircraft carriers, participating in key deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The squadron was disestablished on 1 October 1969 as the Navy restructured its heavy attack community.

VAH-2, also known as Heavy Attack Squadron 2, was a U.S. Navy squadron established on 1 November 1955. The unit was initially equipped with the A3D Skywarrior, a long-range, carrier-based strategic bomber designed for nuclear strike missions during the Cold War. VAH-2 operated primarily from the aircraft carriers of the Pacific Fleet, playing a key role in developing heavy attack capabilities and later participating in reconnaissance and electronic warfare missions. The squadron was disestablished on 12 May 1971 as the Navy shifted away from carrier-based heavy attack bombers.