U.S. Navy

USS **Turner Joy (DD-951)** was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1959. Named after Admiral Charles Turner Joy, the ship gained historical significance as one of the vessels involved in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964, an event that led to increased U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Throughout her service, Turner Joy participated in multiple combat operations, including naval gunfire support and patrol duties off the coast of Vietnam. After a distinguished career, she was decommissioned in 1982 and later preserved as a museum ship in Bremerton, Washington.

USS Gregory (DD-802) was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in key operations including the assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where she provided fire support and screened larger vessels. After the war, Gregory was involved in occupation duties in the Far East before being decommissioned in 1946. She was later reactivated for the Korean War, serving with distinction before her final decommissioning in 1964.

USS Grant County (LST-1174) was a De Soto County-class tank landing ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1957. Designed to transport tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore without docks or piers, she played a critical role in amphibious operations during the Cold War era. Throughout her service, Grant County participated in training exercises, NATO operations, and support missions in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Atlantic regions. She was decommissioned in 1973 and subsequently transferred to the Italian Navy, where she served as Caorle (L 9023) before being retired.

The U.S. Naval Field Station, Sinop, Turkey, was established in 1957 as a critical signals intelligence (SIGINT) facility during the Cold War. Operated primarily by the U.S. Navy and National Security Agency (NSA), its strategic location on the Black Sea allowed for effective monitoring of Soviet military communications and missile activities. The station played a key role in intelligence gathering until diplomatic changes and advancements in technology led to its closure in 1992. Throughout its operation, Sinop significantly contributed to U.S. and NATO intelligence capabilities in the region.

Underwater Demolition Team TWELVE (UDT-12) was one of the U.S. Navy's elite special warfare units, established during World War II to conduct reconnaissance, demolition, and obstacle-clearing operations in advance of amphibious assaults. Activated in 1944, UDT-12 played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater, notably supporting landings at Okinawa by clearing mines and obstacles from beaches under enemy fire. Following the war, the team continued to serve in various capacities during the Korean War, adapting to new missions including intelligence gathering and sabotage operations. UDT-12's legacy contributed to the evolution of modern Navy SEAL teams, reflecting the transition from traditional demolition roles to broader special operations capabilities.

The US Navy Armed Guard was a special branch of the United States Navy established during World War II to protect merchant ships from enemy attack. Created in 1941, the Armed Guard consisted of Navy personnel assigned to operate the defensive guns and communications equipment aboard American and Allied merchant vessels. Facing threats from German U-boats, aircraft, and surface raiders, the Armed Guard played a critical role in ensuring vital supplies reached their destinations across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Despite harsh conditions and high casualty rates, members of the Navy Armed Guard contributed significantly to the Allied war effort by safeguarding the maritime supply lines.

The US Navy Hospital, Key West, Florida, has served as a vital medical facility for the United States Navy since its establishment in the early 19th century. Originally built to support naval operations in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, the hospital played a crucial role during conflicts such as the Spanish-American War and World War II, providing care for wounded and ill service members. Throughout its history, the hospital has adapted to meet the changing needs of the fleet, offering both emergency and routine medical services. Today, it continues to support the readiness and health of military personnel stationed at Naval Air Station Key West and throughout the region.

The US Navy K9 units played a vital but often overlooked role during the Vietnam War. Established in the mid-1960s, these specialized teams were composed of Navy handlers and highly trained military working dogs, primarily German Shepherds. Their primary missions included patrolling perimeters at naval installations, detecting enemy intruders, and sniffing out explosives and weapons caches. The bravery and keen senses of the Navy K9 teams greatly enhanced base security and saved countless lives throughout the conflict. After the war, many of these dogs were sadly left behind, but their legacy endures in the modern use of K9 units across the US military.

The US Navy Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL) was established in 1946 at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, California. Its primary mission was to study the effects of nuclear weapons and to develop methods for radiological decontamination of naval vessels and equipment. The NRDL played a significant role in analyzing radioactive contamination from atomic tests and in advancing radiological safety procedures for the fleet. The laboratory was deactivated in 1969 as its functions were absorbed by other military organizations and due to changing defense priorities.

U.S. Navy Public Works Center (PWC) Guam was established in the aftermath of World War II to support the expanding American military presence in the Western Pacific. Tasked with providing essential base operations, maintenance, and engineering services, PWC Guam played a crucial role in rebuilding and maintaining critical infrastructure on the island. Throughout the Cold War and into the 21st century, the unit supported U.S. Navy and joint forces by ensuring reliable utilities, transportation, and facility management. In 2003, PWC Guam was reorganized under Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), continuing its legacy of service as part of NAVFAC Marianas.

The US Naval Hospital Taipei, located in Taiwan, was established in 1957 to provide comprehensive medical care to American military personnel, their families, and authorized civilians stationed on the island during the Cold War era. Operated by the United States Navy, the hospital was strategically significant due to Taiwan's proximity to mainland China and its role as a key ally in the Western Pacific. The facility included advanced medical and surgical services, supporting both routine healthcare and emergency operations for the United States Taiwan Defense Command and other American units in the region. The hospital ceased operations in 1979 following the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, marking the end of the official American military presence in Taiwan.

USNAVCOMMSTAUK Thurso, Scotland, formally known as the United States Naval Communication Station United Kingdom (USNAVCOMMSTAUK) Thurso, was established in the late 1950s as part of the broader US-UK defense cooperation during the Cold War. Located near the northern coast of Scotland, the station played a crucial role in supporting US and NATO naval communications, particularly for submarines operating in the North Atlantic. The facility provided secure, long-range communications vital for coordinating maritime operations and maintaining strategic deterrence. USNAVCOMMSTAUK Thurso remained operational until the early 1990s, when advances in technology and changes in global security dynamics led to its closure.

The USNR Rochester N.Y. refers to the United States Naval Reserve units based in Rochester, New York. Established during the 20th century, these reserve units have provided vital support to the U.S. Navy by training local reservists and preparing them for mobilization during times of national emergency or conflict. Over the decades, Rochester-based Naval Reservists have served with distinction in major conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, and subsequent operations. The unit continues to play a key role in maintaining naval readiness and community engagement in the Rochester region.

USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) is a Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler operated by the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. Launched on 7 July 1992 and delivered in 1992, Big Horn has played a vital role in supporting fleet operations by delivering fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy ships at sea. The vessel has participated in numerous exercises and operations, including deployments to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern waters. Throughout its service, USNS Big Horn has contributed significantly to maintaining the Navy’s operational readiness and global reach by ensuring sustained maritime logistics support.

USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) is a Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug operated by the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. Laid down in 1978 and commissioned in 1980, Catawba provided vital towing, rescue, and salvage services to the Navy’s Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Over its decades of service, the vessel supported numerous operations, including towing disabled ships, conducting recovery missions, and participating in joint exercises with allied navies. In 2012, USNS Catawba was deactivated and later transferred to the Chilean Navy, continuing its service under a new flag.

USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) is a United States Navy hospital ship commissioned in 1987. Operated by the Military Sealift Command, the Comfort provides rapid, flexible, and mobile acute medical and surgical services to support U.S. military forces and humanitarian missions worldwide. The ship has participated in numerous operations, including support during the Gulf War, Hurricane Katrina relief, Operation Unified Response in Haiti, and medical aid during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. USNS Comfort continues to serve as a vital asset for both military readiness and global humanitarian assistance.

USNS Dutton (T-AGS-22) was a U.S. Navy oceanographic survey ship that played a vital role during the Cold War. Originally built as the SS Tuskegee Victory, a Victory-class cargo ship, she was converted and commissioned into naval service in 1958. Operated by the Military Sea Transportation Service, Dutton conducted geodetic and hydrographic surveys in support of submarine and missile navigation, including significant contributions to the U.S. Navy’s Polaris ballistic missile program. The ship was decommissioned and struck from the Navy list in 1989, marking the end of more than three decades of distinguished service.

USNS Navasota (T-AO-106) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler built for the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in 1946, she provided vital underway replenishment services, refueling ships at sea and supporting U.S. naval operations in the Pacific, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Navasota played an essential logistical role during combat operations, enabling extended fleet deployments and increased operational reach. Decommissioned and transferred to the Military Sealift Command in 1975 as USNS Navasota (T-AO-106), she continued her service with a civilian crew until her retirement in 1992.

USNS Ponchatoula (T-AO-148) was a Neosho-class fleet oiler launched in 1955 and commissioned into service with the United States Navy in 1956. Named after the city of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, she played a crucial role in providing underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy ships at sea, supporting operations during the Cold War, Vietnam War, and other deployments. Ponchatoula was transferred to the Military Sealift Command and redesignated as USNS Ponchatoula (T-AO-148) in 1976, continuing to serve with a primarily civilian crew. After decades of service, she was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1992.

USNS Safeguard (T-ARS-50) is the lead ship of the Safeguard-class salvage ships, commissioned into service with the United States Navy in 1985. Designed for salvage, towing, and rescue operations, Safeguard has played a key role in supporting fleet readiness and maritime recovery missions worldwide. Throughout its service, the vessel participated in numerous exercises and real-world operations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response. In 2007, Safeguard was transferred to the Military Sealift Command, operating with a primarily civilian crew to continue its vital support missions.

USNS Sioux (T-ATF-171) was a Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug operated by the United States Navy. Launched in 1980, Sioux provided crucial towing, salvage, and rescue services for naval vessels worldwide, supporting both peacetime and combat operations. Throughout her career, she participated in numerous missions, including recovery operations and support during fleet exercises and deployments. After over three decades of distinguished service, USNS Sioux was decommissioned in 2021.

USS PC-1208 was a PC-461-class submarine chaser built for the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in 1943, she was primarily engaged in escort and patrol duties, protecting convoys from enemy submarines along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean. After the war, PC-1208 continued to serve in training and auxiliary roles before being decommissioned in 1946. The vessel was later sold to the Dominican Republic, where she served as Independencia (P-105) for several more years.

**USS AEOLUS (ARC-3)** was a cable repair ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Originally built as the cargo ship *SS Turandot* in 1944, she was acquired and converted to support underwater cable-laying and repair operations, primarily for the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) during the Cold War. The ship played a crucial role in maintaining undersea communication lines vital for anti-submarine warfare and strategic intelligence gathering. USS AEOLUS was decommissioned in 1985 and later disposed of as an artificial reef off the coast of North Carolina.

USS Aeolus (ARC-3) was originally launched in 1944 as the USNS Turandot (T-AK-273), a cargo ship serving under the U.S. Navy. In 1955, she was converted to a cable repair ship and commissioned as USS Aeolus, tasked with laying and maintaining underwater communication cables crucial for Cold War naval operations. Operated primarily by the Military Sea Transportation Service, Aeolus played a vital role in Project Caesar, supporting the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) network for submarine detection. The ship served with distinction until her decommissioning in 1973, after which she was eventually sunk as an artificial reef.