Michael Hobaugh

USS Merrill (DD-976) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in March 1978. Named after Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill, the ship served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous exercises, deployments, and operations, including support during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield in the early 1990s. Throughout her service, USS Merrill was recognized for her advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities and contributions to multinational naval exercises. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned in March 1998 and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2003.

USS De Wert (FFG-45) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate commissioned into the United States Navy on November 19, 1983. Named in honor of Hospitalman Richard De Wert, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War, the ship served in various roles including escort, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime security operations. Throughout its career, De Wert participated in multinational exercises, counter-narcotics missions, and supported operations in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. After nearly three decades of service, USS De Wert was decommissioned on April 4, 2014.

USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned into the United States Navy in 1963. Named after the pivotal World War II battle, she served as a platform for helicopter-borne Marine assaults, participating in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Notably, she was involved in the recovery of the Apollo 9 space capsule in 1969. After three decades of service, USS Guadalcanal was decommissioned in 1994, leaving a legacy of support for both military and humanitarian missions.