William Gunter

USS Dixie (AD-14) was a destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1940. During World War II, she provided critical repair and supply services to destroyers in the Pacific Theater, supporting operations in locations such as Pearl Harbor, New Guinea, and the Philippines. After the war, Dixie continued her service in the Far East, supporting U.S. Seventh Fleet operations during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was decommissioned in June 1982, having served the fleet for over four decades.

Portsmouth Naval Hospital, officially known as Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), is the oldest continuously operating hospital in the U.S. Navy, established in 1827 in Portsmouth, Virginia. Throughout its history, the hospital has served military personnel and their families, providing critical medical care during major conflicts such as the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and subsequent military engagements. During wartime, the hospital expanded its capacity and capabilities, treating thousands of wounded sailors and Marines. Today, NMCP continues its tradition of excellence, serving as a major medical center for the U.S. Navy and a key component of military healthcare on the East Coast.