Arthur Speegle

USS Horne (CG-30) was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy in 1967. Originally designated as DLG-30 (frigate), she was reclassified as a cruiser (CG-30) in 1975. Throughout her service, USS Horne participated in notable operations including Vietnam War combat support, Indian Ocean deployments, and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The ship was decommissioned in 1994 after nearly three decades of service and was eventually sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2008.

USS BELKNAP (DLG-26/CG-26) was commissioned in 1964 as a guided missile frigate and later reclassified as a guided missile cruiser in 1975. Serving as the lead ship of her class, BELKNAP participated in key operations during the Vietnam War and provided vital support in the Mediterranean as part of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. The ship is notably remembered for a devastating collision with USS JOHN F. KENNEDY in 1975, which resulted in a major fire and significant damage. After extensive repairs and modernization, BELKNAP returned to service, eventually serving as the Sixth Fleet flagship before being decommissioned in 1995.

USS PROTEUS (AS-19) was a Fulton-class submarine tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. Initially serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, she provided vital maintenance and support to submarines engaged in combat operations. After the war, PROTEUS was modernized and played a key role during the Cold War, especially by supporting ballistic missile submarines as part of the U.S. nuclear deterrent force. She remained in active service through several decades, supporting submarine operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific before being decommissioned in 1992.

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 Tulare (LKA-112) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1956. Originally designated AKA-112, she was reclassified as LKA-112 in 1969. Throughout her service, Tulare played a crucial role in logistical support, particularly during the Vietnam War, where she transported troops, equipment, and supplies to combat zones. The ship earned several battle stars before being decommissioned in 1986, marking three decades of distinguished service.

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.