U.S. Navy

USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62) is a Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship operated by the United States Navy under the Military Sealift Command. Launched in 1996, the vessel is named after Nathaniel Bowditch, an influential American mathematician and navigator. Its primary mission is to collect data on ocean environments, supporting naval operations and scientific research by conducting hydrographic surveys and geophysical mapping. USNS Bowditch has served in various regions worldwide, including the Western Pacific and the South China Sea, contributing to the Navy's strategic capabilities and maritime domain awareness.

The USNS Chauvenet Oceanographic Unit 4 was a specialized detachment associated with the USNS Chauvenet (T-AGS-29), a hydrographic survey ship operated by the United States Navy. Activated during the 1970s and 1980s, Oceanographic Unit 4 was responsible for conducting detailed oceanographic and hydrographic surveys in support of naval operations and strategic planning. The unit’s skilled personnel utilized advanced sonar and mapping equipment to chart sea floors, gather oceanographic data, and support submarine navigation. Their work contributed to safer naval passage and enhanced the Navy’s understanding of undersea environments during the Cold War era.

USNS General J.C. Breckinridge (T-AP-176) was a P2-S2-R2 class transport ship built for the U.S. Navy during World War II and named in honor of General Joseph Cabell Breckinridge. Commissioned in 1945, she initially served as a troop transport, repatriating American servicemembers from the Pacific after the war. During the Korean War, the Breckinridge played a crucial role in transporting troops, equipment, and refugees, earning multiple battle stars for her service. Later reclassified as USNS under the Military Sea Transportation Service, she continued in active service until her decommissioning in 1965.

The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, established in 1889, is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally formed to provide medical care to merchant seamen, the USPHS rapidly expanded its mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation. USPHS officers have served alongside the military in every major conflict since World War I, providing critical medical, research, and public health support. Today, the USPHS Commissioned Corps responds to public health emergencies, disease outbreaks, and natural disasters both domestically and internationally.

USS Allagash (AO-97) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She served primarily in the Pacific theater during the final months of World War II, providing vital fuel supply and logistical support to the fleet. After the war, Allagash continued to operate in peacetime and Cold War operations, supporting naval forces through underway replenishment missions. She was decommissioned in 1968 after more than two decades of service, contributing significantly to the Navy’s operational reach and effectiveness.

USS Antietam (CG-54) is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on June 6, 1987. Named after the Battle of Antietam from the American Civil War, the ship has served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, with homeports including San Diego, California, and Yokosuka, Japan. USS Antietam has participated in numerous operations, including enforcing maritime security, supporting carrier strike groups, and conducting freedom of navigation operations in the Western Pacific. Throughout its service, the ship has demonstrated advanced air defense, surface warfare, and anti-submarine capabilities, contributing significantly to U.S. naval power projection in the region.

USS Archerfish (SSN-678) was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1971. Throughout her service, Archerfish conducted numerous Cold War patrols and intelligence-gathering missions, primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. She participated in a variety of fleet exercises and was known for her stealth and advanced sonar capabilities, enhancing the Navy's underwater warfare operations. After more than two decades of active duty, USS Archerfish was decommissioned in March 1998 and later scrapped as part of the Navy's Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Arcturus (AF-52) was an Alstede-class stores ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1950. Originally built as SS Golden Eagle in 1942, she served in the Pacific during World War II before being acquired by the Navy and renamed. Throughout the Korean War and into the Cold War era, Arcturus played a crucial role in replenishing fleet units at sea, delivering food, refrigerated stores, and other supplies to U.S. and allied ships. She was decommissioned in 1972 after more than two decades of support operations, contributing significantly to the Navy’s sustained readiness during major conflicts and peacetime deployments.

The USS Arneb (AKA/LKA-56) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She played a vital role in World War II, participating in the Pacific campaign and supporting amphibious operations by delivering troops, equipment, and supplies. After the war, Arneb served in the Korean War and was later redesignated as an amphibious cargo ship (LKA-56) in 1969. The ship also supported Operation Deep Freeze, aiding Antarctic expeditions, before being decommissioned in 1971.

USS Bache (DD/DDE-470) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in November 1942. She served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major operations such as the Solomon Islands campaign, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the Okinawa campaign, where she survived a devastating kamikaze attack. After the war, Bache was converted to an escort destroyer (DDE) and served during the Cold War, including deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Her service ended after she was wrecked by grounding during a storm off Rhodes, Greece, in 1968, and she was subsequently decommissioned and scrapped.

USS Beale (DD-471), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was commissioned into the United States Navy in May 1942. She saw extensive service during World War II in the Pacific Theater, participating in major operations including the Solomon Islands campaign, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and providing escort and fire support during amphibious landings. After the war, Beale was modernized and reclassified as DDE-471, serving in anti-submarine roles during the early Cold War period. She was decommissioned in 1968, having earned nine battle stars for her distinguished wartime service.

USS Bergall (SSN-667) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on June 13, 1969. Serving during the Cold War, she conducted numerous surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions, as well as anti-submarine warfare exercises, primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Bergall played a critical role in supporting U.S. naval operations and maintaining undersea superiority during her nearly three decades of service. She was decommissioned on June 6, 1996, and later scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Blanco County (LST-344) was a tank landing ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1943 during World War II. She participated in several major amphibious operations, including the Allied invasions of Sicily, Salerno, and Normandy, where she played a crucial role in delivering troops, vehicles, and supplies to contested beaches under fire. After the war, LST-344 was involved in occupation duties in Europe before returning to the United States. The ship was decommissioned in 1946 and later transferred to Greece, where she served under a different name before being retired from service.

USS Borie (DD-704) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in key operations such as the Battle of Okinawa, where she survived a damaging kamikaze attack. After the war, Borie continued her service through the Korean War and later supported naval operations during the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis. The ship was decommissioned in 1972, having earned multiple battle stars for her exemplary service.

USS Boulder (LST-1190) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy on 4 June 1971. Designed to support amphibious operations, she featured a unique bow ramp for rapid vehicle and cargo deployment. Throughout her service, Boulder participated in numerous training exercises, deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and supported NATO operations during the Cold War. The ship was decommissioned on 28 February 1994, marking over two decades of service before being struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Bremerton (CA-130) was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned in April 1945. Although she arrived too late to see combat in World War II, Bremerton served actively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces and participating in key operations along the Korean Peninsula. After Korea, she was involved in various peacetime exercises and training missions in the Pacific. The ship was decommissioned in 1960 and remained in reserve until being stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1973.

**USS Brewton (FF-1086)** was a Knox-class frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on July 8, 1972. Named after Lieutenant John Brewton, a Navy officer killed in action during World War II, the ship was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare and escort missions during the Cold War. Throughout her service, USS Brewton participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting U.S. interests and allies. The frigate was decommissioned on July 2, 1992, and later transferred to the Republic of China Navy, where she served as ROCS Fong Yang (FFG-933).

USS **Brownson** (DD-868) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, shortly after the end of World War II. Named in honor of Rear Admiral Willard H. Brownson, she served primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in numerous NATO exercises and Cold War operations. Brownson was modernized as part of the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program in the early 1960s, enhancing her anti-submarine warfare capabilities. She also saw action during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support before being decommissioned in 1976 and subsequently transferred to the Hellenic Navy.

USS Canon (PG-90) was an Asheville-class gunboat commissioned by the United States Navy in 1968. Designed for patrol and interdiction missions, she was deployed to Vietnam, where she provided naval gunfire support and coastal surveillance during the Vietnam War. The ship's shallow draft and high speed made her well-suited for operations in rivers and coastal waters. After her service in Vietnam, USS Canon continued patrolling and training missions until she was decommissioned in 1977 and later transferred to the Nationalist Navy of Uruguay.

USS Chewaucan (AOG-50) was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in October 1944, Chewaucan was tasked with transporting gasoline and other petroleum products to warships and remote naval stations, playing a critical logistical role in the Pacific theater. After the war, she continued her service in the Far East, supporting occupation forces and fleet operations. Decommissioned in 1957, the vessel was later transferred to the Colombian Navy, where she served as ARC Almirante Padilla.

USS Chikaskia (AO-54) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1943. She provided critical refueling support to warships during World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater, enabling carrier task forces to maintain operations far from port. Following World War II, Chikaskia continued to serve through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, supplying fuel and logistical support to naval forces. After decades of distinguished service, she was decommissioned in 1970 and eventually sold for scrap.

USS Chipola (AO-63) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. During World War II, she provided vital underway replenishment to the Pacific Fleet, supporting major operations including the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Chipola continued service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, refueling naval vessels at sea and enhancing fleet endurance. Decommissioned in 1970, USS Chipola earned numerous battle stars for her dedicated support across three decades of service.

USS Compass Island (AG-153) was a specialized auxiliary ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1956. Originally constructed as a cargo vessel named SS Garden Mariner, she was converted to serve as a navigational research ship. Compass Island played a critical role in the development and testing of the Navy’s inertial navigation systems, which were vital for the emerging Polaris ballistic missile submarines during the Cold War. The ship served as a mobile platform for advanced electronic and navigational equipment until she was decommissioned in 1971.

USS Compton (DD-705) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1944. She served with distinction during World War II, participating in Pacific operations such as the Okinawa campaign and providing anti-aircraft and fire support. After the war, Compton was active during the Korean War and later participated in Cold War missions, including NATO exercises and Mediterranean deployments. The ship was decommissioned in 1972, closing a career that spanned nearly three decades of service.