U.S. Navy

USS EXCEL (MSO-439) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Designed for clearing naval mines to ensure safe passage for fleets, she served primarily in the Pacific Fleet during the Cold War, participating in numerous exercises and patrols, including deployments to the Western Pacific and the Vietnam War to support Operation Market Time. Her wooden hull and non-magnetic construction were critical for reducing vulnerability to magnetic mines. After decades of service, USS EXCEL was decommissioned in 1992 and eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register, marking the end of her distinguished career in mine countermeasure operations.

USS Exploit (MSO-440) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy in 1953. Designed for clearing naval mines to ensure safe passage for allied vessels, she participated in numerous training exercises and NATO operations throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean during the Cold War. USS Exploit played a crucial role in mine countermeasures, often operating alongside allied fleets to enhance naval security. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1993, marking the end of her distinguished career in mine warfare.

USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, named in honor of Marine Second Lieutenant Floyd B. Parks, a Medal of Honor recipient. The ship saw extensive service in the Pacific, participating in operations during the final stages of World War II and later in the Korean War, where she provided naval gunfire support and served on patrol duties. During the Vietnam War, Floyd B. Parks conducted multiple deployments, offering gunfire support, plane guard services for carriers, and participating in search and rescue operations. After decades of service, the destroyer was decommissioned in 1973 and eventually sold for scrap, leaving a legacy of steadfast service across three major conflicts.

USS FRED T. BERRY (DD-858) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1945, named in honor of Commander Fred Thomas Berry, a distinguished naval officer. Although commissioned too late for combat in World War II, the ship served extensively during the Cold War, participating in Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, NATO exercises, and patrols. Notably, FRED T. BERRY played a role in anti-submarine warfare operations and supported the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade in 1962. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1970 and later sunk as part of an artificial reef project off the coast of Florida.

USS FURSE (DD-882) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945, named in honor of Lieutenant John H. Furse. After World War II, she served extensively during the Cold War, conducting patrols and participating in NATO exercises in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. During the Korean War, FURSE provided gunfire support and performed escort duties. She continued her service through the Vietnam War before being decommissioned in 1972 and eventually transferred to the Spanish Navy.

USS Gallery (FFG-26) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on December 5, 1981. Named in honor of three brothers—Rear Admirals Daniel, William, and Philip Gallery—the ship served primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, conducting anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort, and maritime security missions during the Cold War. USS Gallery participated in numerous NATO exercises and operations, enhancing international cooperation and naval readiness. The frigate was decommissioned on June 14, 1996, and later transferred to the Egyptian Navy, where she continues her service as ENS Taba (F916).

USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685) was a unique submarine in the United States Navy, commissioned in 1974 and named after Congressman Glenard P. Lipscomb. As the second vessel of the Los Angeles-class to be built, she was notable for her experimental turbo-electric drive propulsion system, designed to reduce noise but ultimately proving less reliable and more maintenance-intensive than conventional systems. Throughout her service during the Cold War, Glenard P. Lipscomb conducted a variety of intelligence-gathering and deterrence patrols, primarily in the Atlantic. The submarine was decommissioned in 1990 after just 16 years in service, making her operational life shorter than most of her contemporaries due to the limitations of her propulsion technology.

USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on October 12, 1996. Named in honor of Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War, the ship has participated in numerous operations, including maritime security, anti-piracy missions, and multinational exercises. Notably, USS Gonzalez played a key role in the rescue of the crew of the merchant vessel Safina al-Birsarat from Somali pirates in 2006. Over its service, the destroyer has demonstrated advanced combat capabilities and flexibility in global deployments, contributing to U.S. and allied naval operations worldwide.

USS Graham County (LST-1176) was a De Soto County-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1958. Homeported at Little Creek, Virginia, she served primarily with the Atlantic Fleet, providing amphibious assault and logistics support for Marine and Army units. Throughout her career, USS Graham County participated in numerous training exercises, humanitarian missions, and NATO operations, demonstrating the flexibility and capability of the LST class. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1977, leaving a legacy of reliable support in the Navy’s amphibious operations.

USS Gray (DE-1054) was a Knox-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Named after Marine Sergeant Ross Franklin Gray, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, the USS Gray primarily served in the Pacific Fleet during the Cold War. The ship conducted anti-submarine warfare operations, participated in training exercises, and took part in patrols and escort missions throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. After nearly two decades of service, USS Gray was decommissioned in 1991 and later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Muavenet (F-250).

The USS Gurnard (SSN-662) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine of the United States Navy, commissioned on December 6, 1968. Built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Gurnard served primarily during the Cold War, conducting under-ice operations and intelligence-gathering missions. Notably, in 1986, she participated in a historic joint Arctic operation alongside USS Hawkbill, surfacing at the North Pole. After nearly three decades of service, USS Gurnard was decommissioned on April 28, 1995, and later scrapped via the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Hammerhead (SSN-663) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on 28 June 1968. Throughout the Cold War, Hammerhead played a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and fleet support operations, patrolling the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The submarine earned multiple awards for operational excellence and participated in several key NATO exercises, showcasing U.S. undersea capabilities. After nearly three decades of service, USS Hammerhead was decommissioned on 5 April 1995 and later scrapped through the Navy's Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

USS Hanson (DD-832) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1945. After serving in the closing months of World War II, Hanson participated in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening for carrier task forces. During the Vietnam War, she played a significant role in shore bombardments and escort missions. Decommissioned in 1973, USS Hanson was later transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan), where she continued service as ROCS Chen Yang (DD-919).

USS Hartley (DE-1029) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Named after Lieutenant Commander David H. Hartley, the ship served primarily in anti-submarine warfare roles during the Cold War, operating extensively in the Atlantic and Caribbean. Hartley participated in numerous NATO exercises and provided escort services for American and allied vessels. In 1972, she was transferred to the Colombian Navy and renamed ARC Boyacá (DE-16), where she continued to serve for several more years.

The USS Hazelwood (DD-531) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in June 1943. She served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major operations such as the invasions of the Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands, and Okinawa. On April 29, 1945, while on radar picket duty off Okinawa, Hazelwood was severely damaged by a kamikaze attack, resulting in the loss of 77 crew members. After repairs, she continued service until her decommissioning in 1946, later being recommissioned for service during the Korean War before being finally decommissioned in 1960.

USS **Henry M. Jackson** (SSBN-730) is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine in the United States Navy. Commissioned on October 6, 1984, she was originally to be named USS Rhode Island but was renamed to honor U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson following his death. The submarine has played a key role in strategic deterrence, conducting regular patrols as part of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear triad. Over her decades of service, USS Henry M. Jackson has been recognized for excellence in performance and continues to operate out of Naval Base Kitsap, Washington.

USS Hickman County (LST-825) was a tank landing ship 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 delivering troops, vehicles, and supplies to the beachhead. After the war, the ship supported occupation duties in the Far East before being decommissioned in 1946. Reactivated for the Korean War, she continued to serve in various capacities until her final decommissioning in 1969.

USS Hoist (ARS-40) was a Bolster-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Serving in the final months of World War II, she provided critical salvage, repair, and diving operations in the Pacific theater. After the war, USS Hoist continued her service, supporting naval operations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and undertaking numerous peacetime missions, including towing and recovery tasks. She remained active until her decommissioning in 1994, earning multiple commendations for her vital support roles across nearly five decades of service.

USS Holmes County (LST-836) was a tank landing ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1944 during World War II. She participated in the Pacific Theater, supporting amphibious operations and transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies to various combat zones. After the war, the vessel was decommissioned but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, providing vital logistical support. Renamed USS Holmes County (LST-836) in 1955, she continued her service until decommissioning in 1971, after which she was transferred to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

USS INFLICT (MSO-456) was an Aggressive-class ocean minesweeper of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1954. Designed for clearing naval mines to ensure safe passage for allied vessels, she served primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in numerous exercises and operations during the Cold War. The ship was notable for her involvement in mine countermeasure activities and joint NATO exercises, contributing to fleet readiness and maritime security. After decades of service, USS INFLICT was decommissioned in 1990 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Ingersoll (DD-652) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943 during World War II. She served in the Pacific Theater, providing fire support during the invasions of the Marianas, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, and participated in anti-aircraft and anti-submarine operations. After the war, Ingersoll was decommissioned in 1947 but was recommissioned during the Korean War for escort and patrol duties. She was finally decommissioned in 1958 and struck from the Navy list in 1970.

USS John Paul Jones (DD-932) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1956. Named after the Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones, the ship served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, NATO operations, and crisis responses during the Cold War. She played a role in both the Cuban Missile Crisis and Mediterranean deployments, showcasing the versatility and readiness of the U.S. Navy's surface fleet. After decades of service, USS John Paul Jones was reclassified as DDG-32, later decommissioned in 1982, and ultimately expended as a target in 2001.

USS John R. Craig (DD-885) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1945. Named in honor of Lieutenant Commander John R. Craig, the ship served in the closing months of World War II and participated in occupation duties in the Far East. During the Korean War, USS John R. Craig provided naval gunfire support, screened carrier task forces, and conducted patrols. The destroyer also served extensively during the Vietnam War, offering gunfire support and participating in various operations before being decommissioned in June 1979.

USS John R. Pierce (DD-753) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in December 1944. She served in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II, providing escort and screening duties for carrier task forces. During the Korean War, John R. Pierce participated in shore bombardments and patrol operations. The destroyer continued her service throughout the Cold War, including Mediterranean and Atlantic deployments, before being decommissioned in 1973.