U.S. Navy

USS JOHN WILLIS (DE-1027) was a Dealey-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Named after Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John H. Willis, a Medal of Honor recipient, the ship specialized in anti-submarine warfare during the height of the Cold War. Throughout her service, JOHN WILLIS participated in numerous training exercises and NATO operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, enhancing U.S. and allied naval capabilities. She was decommissioned in 1972 after a distinguished career and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (DD-850) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1945. Named after Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., a naval aviator killed in World War II, the ship served extensively during the Cold War era. She participated in the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine, and performed recovery duties for the Gemini space program. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1973 and now serves as a museum ship at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts.

USS Kankakee (AO-39) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1942. She provided vital underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to Allied ships during World War II, supporting operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. After World War II, Kankakee continued to serve through the Korean War and into the Cold War, ensuring the fleet’s operational readiness. She was decommissioned in January 1970, having played a crucial logistical role for nearly three decades of naval operations.

USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1940. Throughout World War II, she played a crucial role in refueling warships at sea, supporting major operations in the Pacific Theater, including the Guadalcanal, Gilbert Islands, and Okinawa campaigns. Kaskaskia continued her service during the Korean War, providing vital logistical support to UN naval forces. The ship was decommissioned in 1969, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.

USS Kishwaukee (AOG-9) was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. She served throughout World War II, supplying fuel to warships and remote bases in the Pacific Theater, including support during the Mariana and Palau Islands campaigns. After the war, Kishwaukee was placed in reserve but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War and continued to operate in the Western Pacific. The ship was finally decommissioned in 1957, having earned several battle stars for her vital logistical support in multiple conflicts.

USS Kretchmer (DE-329) 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 conducting anti-submarine patrols to protect Allied shipping from German U-boats. After World War II, Kretchmer was decommissioned but later recommissioned for service during the Cold War, including operations in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The ship was ultimately decommissioned in 1969 and struck from the Navy list, having earned distinction for her vital role in convoy protection and maritime security.

Certainly! Here is a concise military history for each ship: **USS Lindenwald (LSD-6)** was an Ashland-class dock landing ship commissioned in 1943. She served prominently in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major amphibious operations such as the invasions of Saipan, Leyte, and Okinawa. After the war, Lindenwald supported occupation duties in the Far East and later took part in Arctic supply missions and Cold War exercises. The ship was decommissioned in 1967. **USS York County (LST-1175)** was a De Soto County-class tank landing ship commissioned in 1957. She operated primarily in the Atlantic and Caribbean, supporting amphibious training, NATO exercises, and contingency operations during the Cold War, including deployments to the Mediterranean with the Sixth Fleet. York County also provided support during the Cuban Missile Crisis and various humanitarian missions. She was decommissioned in 1972.

USS Madera County (LST-905) was a tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She served in the closing months of World War II, supporting occupation duties in the Far East and China. The ship was later reactivated for service during the Vietnam War, where she transported troops and equipment along the coast and rivers of South Vietnam. After distinguished service in two major conflicts, USS Madera County was decommissioned in 1970 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG-27) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on 27 November 1982. Named in honor of Vice Admiral Mahlon Street Tisdale, the ship served in various roles, including escort duties, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime security operations during the latter years of the Cold War. USS Mahlon S. Tisdale participated in numerous exercises and deployments, notably supporting operations in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. After nearly two decades of service, the frigate was decommissioned on 27 September 1996 and later transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Gökçeada (F 494).

USS Mathews (AKA-96) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She served in the final months of World War II, transporting troops, equipment, and supplies to support Pacific operations. After the war, Mathews participated in occupation duties in the Far East before being decommissioned in 1946. She was recommissioned for service during the Korean War and later supported operations during the Vietnam War, before her final decommissioning in 1968.

USS Mattaponi (AO-41) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1942. Throughout World War II, she played a critical logistical role, supplying fuel to Allied warships in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. The Mattaponi continued her service during the Korean War and supported operations during the Vietnam War, ensuring the Navy’s fleet remained operational across vast distances. She was decommissioned in 1970 after nearly three decades of distinguished service, earning several battle stars for her vital contributions.

USS McGowan (DD-678) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1944. Serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, McGowan participated in numerous key operations, including the Marianas, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa campaigns, providing vital escort, screening, and shore bombardment support. After World War II, the destroyer was decommissioned, then recommissioned for service during the Korean War, where she continued escort and patrol duties. USS McGowan was finally decommissioned in 1960 and later transferred to Spain, where she served as Jorge Juan (D-25).

USS Michigan (SSBN-727/SSGN-727) is an Ohio-class submarine commissioned into the United States Navy in September 1982. Originally built as a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), Michigan conducted strategic deterrent patrols throughout the Cold War, supporting America's nuclear triad. In 2007, Michigan was converted to a guided missile submarine (SSGN), enhancing her capabilities to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and support special operations forces. Since then, USS Michigan has played a critical role in power projection and special warfare missions in the Pacific theater.

USS Mitscher (DDG-57) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on December 10, 1994. Named in honor of Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, a prominent World War II naval aviator, the ship has served in a variety of roles, including carrier strike group operations, maritime security, and multinational exercises. Mitscher has been deployed to numerous regions, including the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, and North Atlantic, supporting operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over its career, USS Mitscher has earned recognition for its operational excellence and remains an integral asset to the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet.

USS Mitscher (DL-2) was the lead ship of her class of destroyer leaders, commissioned by the United States Navy in 1953. Named after Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, the ship was designed to serve as a flagship for destroyer squadrons, featuring advanced weaponry and radar systems for its time. Mitscher participated in numerous operations and exercises throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean, contributing to Cold War naval readiness. After several modernizations during her service, the ship was decommissioned in 1978 and subsequently scrapped, marking the end of her distinguished career.

The USS Monrovia (APA-31) was a Crescent City-class attack transport commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. Throughout World War II, she played a pivotal role in several major amphibious operations, including the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, and southern France in the European Theater, as well as landings in the Pacific such as at Okinawa. Monrovia frequently served as a flagship for high-ranking commanders, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Sicilian campaign. After the war, she assisted in Operation Magic Carpet, returning American servicemen home before being decommissioned in 1946.

USS Mount Baker (AE-34) was a Kilauea-class ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy on July 22, 1972. Designed to carry and deliver munitions and supplies to combat ships at sea, she played a key logistical role during the Cold War, supporting fleet operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Mount Baker participated in numerous exercises and missions, including deployments with carrier battle groups and NATO forces. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned on December 2, 1996, and eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

**USS Mount Katmai (AE-16)** was an ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in July 1945. Named after Mount Katmai in Alaska, she was launched near the end of World War II and served as a vital logistics vessel, providing ammunition and explosive ordnance to fleet units at sea. The ship played a significant support role during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, ensuring combat ships remained supplied during extended operations. After decades of service, USS Mount Katmai was decommissioned in 1973 and later sold for scrap.

USS Nantahala (AO-60) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. Throughout World War II, she played a crucial support role, fueling warships at sea during major Pacific campaigns such as Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Nantahala continued to serve in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, providing vital logistics support during the Cold War era. She was decommissioned in 1973, having earned multiple battle stars for her World War II service.

USS Narwhal (SSN-671) was a unique nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1969. As the lead and only ship of her class, Narwhal featured a quieter, natural circulation reactor design, making her one of the stealthiest submarines of her era. Throughout her service during the Cold War, she undertook numerous covert intelligence-gathering and special operations missions, earning a reputation for her advanced capabilities. After nearly three decades of service, USS Narwhal was decommissioned in 1999, leaving a legacy of technological innovation and clandestine contributions to U.S. naval operations.

**USS Nereus (AS-17)** was a Fulton-class submarine tender commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched on 23 September 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1945, she provided vital support to submarines operating in the Pacific Theater, including repair, resupply, and crew rest. After the war, Nereus continued service during the early Cold War, supporting the Atlantic Fleet's submarine forces. She was decommissioned on 30 June 1971 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register, marking the end of her distinguished service.

USS Newell (DE-332/DER-332) was an Edsall-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, she served primarily as a convoy escort in the Atlantic, protecting Allied shipping from German U-boats. After the war, Newell was decommissioned but later recommissioned and converted to a radar picket ship (DER-332) during the Cold War, serving in the Pacific as part of the early warning defense network. She was finally decommissioned in 1968, after a distinguished career spanning both World War II and Cold War service.

USS Norris (DD-859) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in June 1945, just before the end of World War II. Although she missed significant combat in WWII, USS Norris served extensively during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and participating in bombardment missions along the Korean coast. Throughout the Cold War era, she operated with the Atlantic Fleet, including deployments to the Mediterranean and participation in NATO exercises. USS Norris was decommissioned in 1970 and later transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Kılıç Ali Paşa (D-350) until 1987.

USS Oak Ridge (ARDM-1) is a floating dry dock that was commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. Originally constructed to provide repair and maintenance services for submarines and small vessels during World War II, Oak Ridge played a crucial role in supporting naval operations in the Pacific Theater. After the war, the dry dock continued its service, supporting both conventional and nuclear submarines during the Cold War era. Over the decades, USS Oak Ridge underwent several upgrades and remained an essential asset in the Navy's submarine support fleet until its decommissioning in 2023.