U.S. Navy

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.

USS Reuben James (FFG-57) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on March 22, 1986. Named in honor of Boatswain’s Mate Reuben James, a naval hero of the First Barbary War, the ship conducted multiple deployments to the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf, often supporting maritime security operations and coalition exercises. Notably, Reuben James participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, providing escort and patrol duties in the volatile Middle East region. After over 27 years of distinguished service, the frigate was decommissioned on July 18, 2013, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

USS Rockbridge (APA-228) was a Haskell-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1944. She served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in the Okinawa campaign by transporting troops and equipment for amphibious assaults. After the war, Rockbridge supported occupation duties in Japan and later took part in Operation Magic Carpet, repatriating American servicemen. The vessel was decommissioned in 1947 but was recommissioned for service during the Korean War and continued to serve until her final decommissioning in 1968.

USS Rowan (DD-782) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. After serving briefly in the final months of World War II, Rowan was active during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening aircraft carriers. The ship also saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, participating in operations such as Sea Dragon and offering naval gunfire support along the Vietnamese coast. Decommissioned from U.S. service in 1975, Rowan was transferred to the Republic of China Navy, where she served as ROCS Lai Yang (DD-20) until her retirement.

USS **Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413)** was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1944. The ship gained legendary status during the Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944, when her crew bravely engaged a vastly superior Japanese fleet to protect American escort carriers. Despite being heavily outgunned and eventually sunk, Samuel B. Roberts inflicted significant damage on enemy ships and bought crucial time for the American task force to escape. The ship's extraordinary courage earned her and her crew the nickname "the destroyer escort that fought like a battleship" and a lasting place in naval history.

USS **Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG-13)** was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on 11 June 1983. Named in honor of Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison, a distinguished naval historian, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet. Throughout its service, FFG-13 participated in various operations, including counter-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean and multinational exercises, demonstrating versatility and commitment to maritime security. The frigate was decommissioned on 11 July 2002, after nearly two decades of service.

USS San Juan (SSN-751) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on August 6, 1988. She was the first of her class to be built with the improved 688i (Improved) design, featuring advanced quieting technologies and enhanced combat capabilities. Throughout her service, USS San Juan has participated in numerous deployments, including under-ice operations in the Arctic and supporting various fleet exercises and missions worldwide. Notably, she made headlines in 2007 during a brief loss of contact under the Atlantic, but was quickly located with all crew safe, highlighting the risks and professionalism associated with submarine operations.

USS **Seadragon** was the name given to two submarines in the United States Navy. The first, **USS Seadragon (SS-194)**, was a Sargo-class submarine commissioned in 1939. She served with distinction during World War II in the Pacific, conducting numerous war patrols, sinking enemy vessels, and earning multiple battle stars before being decommissioned in 1946. The second, **USS Seadragon (SSN-584)**, was a Skate-class nuclear-powered submarine commissioned in 1959, notable for her Arctic operations, including the first transit of the Northwest Passage by a submarine and surfacing at the North Pole. Both vessels played significant roles in advancing U.S. submarine capabilities and naval operations during their respective service periods.

USS Seahorse (SSN-669) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on 19 September 1969. Throughout her service during the Cold War, she conducted numerous intelligence-gathering and surveillance missions, often operating in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Seahorse participated in several NATO exercises and special operations, earning a reputation for her stealth and effectiveness. After nearly 25 years of distinguished service, she was decommissioned on 17 August 1995.