Charles Dawes

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1944. She played a significant role in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in key operations such as the Battle of Leyte Gulf and strikes against the Japanese home islands. After the war, Ticonderoga was modernized and served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing crucial air support and earning multiple battle stars. Decommissioned in 1973, the ship left a distinguished legacy through decades of service and combat operations.

USS Merrimack (AO-179) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler of the United States Navy, commissioned on November 7, 1981. Serving primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, she provided vital underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to warships at sea, ensuring sustained naval operations. Merrimack participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including support during operations in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned on December 18, 1998, and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

Commander, Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) is a major command of the United States Navy, responsible for naval operations in the vast Pacific Ocean region. Established in 1907 as the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the command gained prominence during World War II, particularly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, leading the U.S. naval campaign across the Pacific against Japan. Throughout the Cold War, COMPACFLT played a vital role in containing Soviet influence in Asia and maintaining maritime security. Today, the Commander, Pacific Fleet oversees the largest fleet command in the U.S. Navy, ensuring readiness and stability across the Indo-Pacific.

USS Shangri-La (CV-38) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1944. Named after the mythical place referenced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when explaining the origin of the Doolittle Raid, Shangri-La participated in the final campaigns of World War II in the Pacific, including air strikes against the Japanese home islands. After the war, it was decommissioned but later modernized and recommissioned for service during the Cold War, including deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The ship was finally decommissioned in 1971 and sold for scrap in 1988.

The Commanding Admiral of the Fifth Fleet during World War II was Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, who led the fleet through some of the most pivotal naval battles in the Pacific Theater. Established in 1944, the Fifth Fleet played a crucial role in operations such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Under Spruance’s command, the fleet became renowned for its operational effectiveness, logistical innovation, and ability to coordinate massive amphibious assaults. The successes of the Fifth Fleet contributed significantly to the defeat of Japanese naval forces and the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific.

USS Oklahoma City

U.S. Navy

The USS Oklahoma City is a United States Navy cruiser that was in service from 1944 to 1979. It played a significant role in World War II, participating in numerous campaigns in the Pacific theater. The ship was later reactivated during the Vietnam War and the Lebanese Civil War. After its decommissioning, the USS Oklahoma City was eventually sunk as a target during a training exercise in 1999.

The USS Yorktown is the name borne by several distinguished ships in the United States Navy, most notably the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) and its successor, USS Yorktown (CV-10). The first, CV-5, was commissioned in 1937 and played a pivotal role in the early Pacific battles of World War II before being sunk at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Her successor, CV-10, was commissioned in 1943 and participated in numerous major operations in the Pacific Theater, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and Okinawa. After World War II, CV-10 served in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and as a recovery ship for the Apollo 8 mission before being decommissioned and preserved as a museum ship in Charleston, South Carolina.

USS Hancock (CV-19) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1944. She served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major operations including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and supporting air strikes against Japanese positions across the Pacific. After the war, Hancock was modernized and played a vital role during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing air support and conducting combat missions. The carrier was eventually decommissioned in 1976, leaving behind a legacy of valor and service across three decades of American naval history.

USCGC Cherokee was a United States Coast Guard cutter originally commissioned as USS Cherokee (AT-66), a fleet tug launched in 1939. During World War II, she served with distinction, performing towing and salvage operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. After the war, Cherokee was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1946, where she continued her service as a cutter, engaging in search and rescue, law enforcement, and aid to navigation missions along the U.S. East Coast. Cherokee remained in active Coast Guard service until her decommissioning in 1965.

The US Coast Guard Academy is a military service academy located in New London, Connecticut. It is responsible for training future officers for the US Coast Guard. Cadets at the Academy undergo rigorous academic, physical, and professional training to prepare them for leadership roles in the Coast Guard. Graduates of the Academy go on to serve as commissioned officers in the Coast Guard, protecting and serving the nation's maritime interests.

USS AMERICA

U.S. Navy

The USS America is a modern amphibious assault ship in the United States Navy. It is the fourth ship to be named after the country and is the lead ship of its class. The ship is capable of carrying a mix of air, ground, and amphibious assault vehicles to support a wide range of military operations. With advanced technology and a skilled crew, the USS America plays a vital role in projecting American power and protecting national interests around the world.

USS **Intrepid** (CV-11) is an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in August 1943. Serving prominently in the Pacific Theater during World War II, she participated in key battles such as Leyte Gulf, Okinawa, and strikes against the Japanese home islands. Intrepid survived several kamikaze attacks and earned a reputation as "The Fighting I." After the war, she was modernized and served during the Cold War, including roles in the Vietnam War and as a recovery ship for NASA missions, before being decommissioned in 1974 and preserved as a museum ship in New York City.

USS Ranger (CV-61) was a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Serving primarily in the Pacific Fleet, she participated in significant operations during the Vietnam War, providing air support and combat sorties. Over her long career, Ranger also took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, launching airstrikes against Iraqi targets. Decommissioned in 1993, USS Ranger earned numerous awards and distinctions, marking her as a key asset in U.S. naval aviation history.

USS Kittyhawk

U.S. Navy

The USS Kittyhawk (CV-63) was a United States Navy aircraft carrier commissioned in 1961 and decommissioned in 2009. It was the second ship in the Kitty Hawk-class of aircraft carriers and served in various conflicts and operations, including the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The USS Kittyhawk was known for its distinctive "Battle E" award-winning performance and its ability to launch and recover a variety of aircraft. After its retirement, the ship was eventually scrapped in 2015.