U.S. Navy

USS LEONARD F. MASON (DD-852) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in July 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. She served extensively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, LEONARD F. MASON participated in multiple combat operations, including search and rescue missions and shore bombardments. After decades of active service, the destroyer was decommissioned in 1976 and later transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece.

The USS Lewis & Clark (SSBN-644) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1965. Named after famed American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, she played a critical role in the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrence during the Cold War. Equipped with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles, the USS Lewis & Clark conducted numerous deterrent patrols as part of the Navy’s “41 for Freedom” submarine force. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1992 and subsequently scrapped through the Navy’s Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was a Belmont-class technical research ship (a converted World War II Victory ship) operated by the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1964, she was tasked with intelligence-gathering and electronic surveillance missions during the Cold War. On June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War, Liberty was attacked by Israeli air and naval forces in international waters, resulting in 34 American deaths and over 170 wounded. The incident, later described as a case of mistaken identity by Israel, remains a subject of controversy and debate within military and diplomatic circles.

USS Mahopac (ATA-196) was a Sotoyomo-class auxiliary ocean tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Built at Levingston Shipbuilding Company in Orange, Texas, she provided towing and salvage services in the Pacific during the closing months of World War II. After the war, Mahopac continued to serve the Navy, supporting fleet operations and logistics across various locations, including the Far East. The vessel was eventually decommissioned and transferred to the Republic of Korea in 1962, where she continued her service under a new flag.

USS Mauna Loa (AE-8) was an ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II. Serving primarily in the Pacific Theater, she played a crucial role in supplying ordnance to frontline combat ships, supporting operations such as the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Mauna Loa continued to serve in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, providing vital logistical support during the early Cold War period. The ship was decommissioned in 1958 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS McCloy (FF-1038) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned into the United States Navy in 1972. Named after Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant (jg) John McCloy, the ship was designed for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War. USS McCloy served extensively in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in NATO exercises, Caribbean deployments, and Mediterranean operations. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1990 and later transferred to Egypt, where she served as ENS Ismailia.

USS Merrick (AKA-97) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She participated in the closing stages of World War II, supporting occupation operations in Japan and transporting cargo and personnel throughout the Pacific. During the Korean War, Merrick was reactivated and served as a vital supply ship, delivering equipment and troops to combat zones. After years of service, she was finally decommissioned in 1969 and later transferred to the Chilean Navy.

The USS Milius (DDG-69) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on November 23, 1996. Named in honor of Captain Paul L. Milius, a Navy pilot who was lost in action during the Vietnam War, the ship has played a vital role in various operations, including maritime security, ballistic missile defense, and multinational exercises. Throughout its service, USS Milius has been deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Middle Eastern waters, supporting missions such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ship has also served as a forward-deployed asset in Japan, strengthening U.S. alliances and providing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

USS Mills (DE-383) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943 during World War II. She served primarily in the Atlantic, escorting convoys and performing anti-submarine patrols to protect Allied shipping from German U-boats. After the war, Mills continued in service with various duties, including training exercises and support missions. The ship was decommissioned in 1964, having earned distinction for her vital contributions to naval operations during and after the war.

USS *Mount McKinley* (AGC-7) was the lead ship of her class of amphibious force command ships in the United States Navy, commissioned in 1944. She served as a flagship for several major amphibious operations during World War II, including the invasions of Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, providing vital command and control for fleet operations. After the war, *Mount McKinley* supported occupation duties in Japan and later participated in nuclear testing operations at Bikini Atoll. The ship continued her service through the Korean War and Cold War, acting as a floating command center until her decommissioning in 1970.

USS Murray (DD-576) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in April 1943. During World War II, she served extensively in the Pacific Theater, participating in major operations such as the invasions of the Marshall Islands, Marianas, and Leyte Gulf. Murray provided vital fire support, screened aircraft carriers, and engaged in anti-submarine patrols, contributing to the success of numerous amphibious assaults. After the war, she assisted in the occupation of Japan before being decommissioned in 1946.

USS New Orleans (LPD-18) is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock commissioned into the United States Navy on March 10, 2007. Designed to support amphibious assault, special operations, and expeditionary warfare missions, the ship has participated in numerous multinational exercises and humanitarian missions. Notably, USS New Orleans was involved in Operation Unified Response, providing disaster relief to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. The vessel continues to serve as a critical asset in the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet, enhancing maritime security and supporting joint operations worldwide.

USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) was a Mars-class combat stores ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1967. Designed to provide underway replenishment of food, ammunition, and general stores, she played a vital logistical role during the Vietnam War, supporting fleet operations in the Western Pacific. Throughout her service, Niagara Falls participated in numerous exercises and operations, including deployments to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1994 and subsequently transferred to the Military Sealift Command before being retired from naval service.

USS Nicholas (FFG-47) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on March 10, 1984. Named after Major Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, the ship served for over 28 years. During her active service, Nicholas participated in multiple operations, including drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean, escort duties in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will, and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Africa. The frigate was decommissioned on March 17, 2014, after a distinguished career supporting U.S. naval strategy and global maritime security.

USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) was originally commissioned as a Cleveland-class light cruiser (CL-91) in 1945, serving briefly at the end of World War II. In the late 1950s, she was converted into a guided missile cruiser and re-designated CLG-5, equipped with the Talos missile system to enhance her air defense capabilities. As a flagship in the U.S. Seventh Fleet during the Vietnam War, Oklahoma City provided naval gunfire support, command and control, and missile operations. She served until 1979, after which she was decommissioned, marking an extensive career that spanned traditional naval gunfire roles to advanced missile warfare.

USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy, commissioned on August 19, 2000. Named in honor of Private First Class Oscar P. Austin, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War, the ship is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. Throughout its service, USS Oscar Austin has participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East, and support for Operation Enduring Freedom. The destroyer is equipped with advanced Aegis combat systems, enabling it to perform a wide range of missions, from air defense to anti-submarine warfare.

USS OZARK (MCS-2) was originally laid down as LSV-2, a vehicle landing ship, and commissioned in 1944 during World War II. She served in the Pacific Theater, supporting amphibious operations by transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment to combat zones. After the war, OZARK was converted into a mine countermeasures support ship and redesignated MCS-2 in 1955. Throughout her service, she played a vital role in supporting mine warfare operations until her decommissioning in 1974.

USS Passumpsic (AO-107) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Designed to refuel warships at sea, she played a crucial logistical role during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Cold War operations in the Pacific. Passumpsic conducted numerous underway replenishments, enabling sustained naval operations far from port. After decades of distinguished service, she was decommissioned in 1973 and later transferred to the Military Sealift Command, continuing her support role under a civilian crew.

USS PERMIT (SSN-594) was the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the United States Navy. Commissioned on May 29, 1962, she played a crucial role during the Cold War, conducting surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence-gathering missions in the Pacific Ocean. Permit was notable for being part of the first class of submarines designed from the outset for nuclear propulsion, significantly enhancing the Navy's underwater capabilities. After nearly three decades of service, USS PERMIT was decommissioned on July 23, 1991.

USS Polk County (LST-1084) was a tank landing ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in May 1945 near the end of World War II. Initially serving in the Pacific, she assisted in occupation duties in the Far East after Japan’s surrender. The ship was decommissioned but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War, where she transported troops, vehicles, and equipment to support United Nations operations. USS Polk County continued to serve through the Cold War period until she was decommissioned in 1969 and subsequently transferred to the Republic of China Navy.

USS Pollack (SSN-603) was a Permit-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964. Named after the pollack fish, she played an important role in Cold War naval operations, conducting numerous surveillance and deterrence patrols. Pollack participated in various fleet exercises and was noted for her advanced sonar and stealth capabilities. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1989 and later scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Preserver (ARS-8) was a Diver-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. Throughout World War II, she provided vital salvage, towing, and rescue operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters, notably supporting the Normandy Invasion in 1944. After the war, Preserver continued her service, participating in peacetime operations and Cold War missions, including the recovery of sunken aircraft and submarines. Decommissioned in 1992, USS Preserver earned several commendations for her decades of dedicated and versatile service.

USS Rainier (AE-5) was an ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1941. Throughout World War II, she played a critical logistics role, supplying ammunition to Allied naval forces in the Pacific Theater, including during major campaigns such as Guadalcanal and the Philippines. After the war, Rainier was decommissioned, but was later recommissioned for service during the Korean War and again during the Vietnam War, continuing her vital support missions. Rainier was finally decommissioned in 1970, having earned numerous battle stars for her dedicated service across three major conflicts.

USS Ranger (CV-4) was the United States Navy's first purpose-built aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1934. During World War II, she primarily operated in the Atlantic, providing critical air cover for convoys and participating in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa in 1942. Ranger also conducted air strikes against German shipping and installations along the Norwegian coast in 1943. After serving as a training and transport carrier later in the war, USS Ranger was decommissioned in 1946 and sold for scrap in 1947.