How These WWII Warships Secured America’s Reign Over the Seas

One of the most notable aspects of World War II was how well the United States could quickly manufacture one of the most powerful fleets the world had ever known. With thousands of ships available, some ships rose above their counterparts and were awarded multiple battle stars for actions they saw in combat.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 15 (tied)
• Type of ship: Battleship
• Group: North Carolina-class fast battleship
• Year introduced: 1941
• Crew size: 2,300

The lead battleship in its namesake class, the USS North Carolina, was completed while the nation was still neutral during World War II. However, following the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, North Carolina was mobilized for war and sent to the Pacific to boost Allied forces around Guadalcanal.

During the war, North Carolina fought at the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Operation Magic Carpet and was present at the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. By 1962, the ship was out of commission and is now a museum that can be visited in Wilmington, North Carolina.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 15 (tied)
• Type of ship: Submarine
• Group: Narwhal-class
• Year introduced: 1930
• Crew size: ~90

The lead submarine of the self-named Narwhal class, the USS Narwhal, was the second ship to use the name. Known as a “V-boat,” the USS Narwhal was one of many submarines the US Navy put to sea during the war, even though the sub had been built an entire decade before fighting broke out. 

Thankfully, the Narwhal was ready to go as soon as the war started, and it was sent into combat zones just two months after Pearl Harbor. On February 28, 1942, the Narwhal made its first torpedo attack of the war, sinking two Japanese ships. Throughout the war, the Narwhal’s success continued across its multiple patrols, of which it had 15, earning it 15 battle stars, among the most navy submarines.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 15 (tied)
• Type of ship: Destroyer
• Group: Fletcher-class
• Year introduced: 1942
• Crew size: 273

Entering service in 1942, the USS Fletcher provided exceptional service to the U.S. Navy during WWII. It was used in the Guadalcanal Campaign and stationed near New Caledonia. The ship was an active patrol and escort vital to events involving the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. USS Fletcher sank and destroyed enemy submarines, warships, and aircraft.

Decommissioned in 1947, the destroyer was recommissioned again in 1949 as an anti-submarine warfare platform. Its final decommission came later, in 1969.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 15 (tied)
• Type of ship: Light cruiser
• Group: Atlanta-class
• Year introduced: 1942
• Crew size: 796

USS San Diego was one of eight Atlanta-class light cruisers. While previous destroyer classes were designed primarily for ship and shore bombardment, these Atlanta-class light cruises protected carriers with anti-aircraft guns and torpedos.

San Diego was vital in major battles like the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and the assault on Okinawa. The ship also served as an escort for aircraft carriers like the USS Enterprise and the USS Hornet. It was decommissioned in July 1946.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 15 (tied)
• Type of ship: Destroyer
• Group: Gleaves-class
• Year introduced: 1941
• Crew size: 212

In August 1942, the USS Buchanan rescued survivors during the Battle of Savo Island and effectively served in the Guadalcanal and Tulagi landings. In addition, the ship played a vital role in the Battle of Cape Esperance in October and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November.

USS Buchanan later served as a convoy escort until February 1943 and sank the Japanese submarine RO-37 in January 1944. It further participated in action in Palau, Luzon, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. After serving as an escort to Fleet Admirals Nimitz and Halsey, Buchanan remained in the Far East. The ship was decommissioned in May 1946.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
• Type of ship: Destroyer
• Group: Gridley-class
• Year introduced: 1936
• Crew size: 176

The USS Maury entered service in 1936 and engaged in many campaigns across the Pacific during the war. The ship served in the Battle of Midway, the invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi, the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, and the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.

Maury was part of a force that surprised Japanese destroyers in the Battle of Tassafaronga but miraculously left the battle without any damage. The ship engaged in the Gilberts and Marshalls invasions, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Maury received 16 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation for its impressive service record.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
• Type of ship: Destroyer
• Group: Sims-class
• Year introduced: 1940
• Crew size: 192

The USS Morris participated in the North Atlantic Patrol during the war. Later, it engaged in the Battle of the Coral Sea in the Pacific. Its commander earned the Navy Cross for assisting the survivors of the USS Lexington as it sunk. During the Battle of Midway, the USS Morris once again rescued survivors.

The ship was also involved in several campaigns, including Guadalcanal, the Marshall Islands, New Guinea, and Okinawa, and even survived being hit by a kamikaze.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
• Type of ship: Destroyer
• Group: Fletcher-class
• Year introduced: 1942
• Crew size: 336

The destroyer USS Nicholas was an escort in Guadalcanal and participated in the Battles of Kula Gulf and Kolombangara. For its service during the Battle of Kula Gulf, the ship received the Presidential Unit Citation.

USS Nicholas liberated Luzon, Tarakan, and various other islands. It also participated in the repatriation of prisoners of war and went on to serve in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
• Type: Destroyer
• Class: Sims-class
• Year introduced: 1938
• Crew size: 192

The USS Russell served in many war engagements, including the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Guadalcanal campaign, and the invasions of the Marshall Islands, the Gilbert Islands, the Philippines, and Okinawa. The ship provided naval gunfire support, escorted aircraft carriers, conducted submarine patrols, and protection for troop transfers.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
• Type of ship: Destroyer
• Group: Fletcher-class
• Year introduced: 1942
• Crew size: 336

The USS Taylor served as a convoy escort with the Atlantic Fleet and for a transatlantic convoy to Casablanca. The ship was transferred to the Pacific in January 1943, where it provided escort cover, conducted patrols, and engaged in several battles. The ship and its crew received a special commendation for their outstanding heroism during the Solomons Campaign in 1943. They later served in the Gilbert Islands campaign and raids on the Marshall Islands.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
• Type of ship: Heavy cruiser
• Group: New Orleans-class
• Year introduced: 1934
• Crew size: 915

The USS New Orleans survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and then served in many important battles, including the Battle of Coral Sea, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, the Battle of Midway, the Battle of Tassafaronga, and the amphibious landings at Okinawa. After the war, the ship continued its service until decommissioned in 1947.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
• Type of ship: Heavy cruiser
• Group: Portland-class
• Year introduced: 1933
• Crew size: 848

The USS Portland was the lead ship of the Portland-class cruisers and served with the USS Indianapolis, its famous sister ship. The ship also served in the Battle of Midway, Coral Sea, and the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Although it was damaged by an enemy torpedo at Guadalcanal, the USS Portland was repaired and continued to serve during the war. The ship supported the Allied landings at Okinawa and brought veterans home during Operation Magic Carpet.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
• Type of ship: Destroyer
• Group: Fletcher-class
• Year introduced: 1942
• Crew size: 329

The USS Saufley served in many WWII missions, conducting anti-shipping sweeps, escorting reinforcements, and providing shore bombardment. It also played an essential role in the Guadalcanal campaign and the occupation of the Russell Islands.

The ship provided call fire support and screening services in assaults on the Green Islands, New Georgia, and Guam and also served in escort and anti-submarine duties. Following the war, the USS Saufley continued servicing in experiments with sonar equipment and weapons for antisubmarine warfare.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 17 (tied)
• Type of ship: Heavy cruiser
• Group: New Orleans-class
• Year introduced: 1934
• Crew size: 708

The USS Minneapolis earned 17 battle stars for its service in major WWII battles in the Pacific. It also protected the USS Lexington and engaged in the Battle of Midway and Coral Sea. During the Battle of Tassafaronga, it was hit by two torpedoes but engaged in later campaigns until the war ended.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 17 (tied)
• Type of ship: Heavy cruiser
• Group: New Orleans-class
• Year introduced: 1934
• Crew size: 904

The USS San Francisco provided anti-aircraft defense during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It also helped to reinforce the Allied forces in the southern Pacific and battles off Guadalcanal. During the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, the ship was severely damaged.

After repairs, it continued as a convoy escort and helped recover Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians. The USS San Francisco also participated in campaigns in the Marshall Islands, Marianas, and Ryukyus.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 17 (tied)
• Type of ship: Destroyer
• Group: Fletcher-class
• Year introduced: 1942
• Crew size: 329

The USS O'Bannon served as an escort and provided reinforcements to Henderson Field during WWII. The ship participated in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and helped sink the Japanese battleship Hiei. In the Battle of Vella Lavella, O'Bannon sank a Japanese destroyer and helped rescue survivors from damaged American vessels.

The ship also provided escort, landing protection, and bombardments in the Solomons. Decommissioned in 1970, the USS O'Bannon was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its service during the Guadalcanal campaign.

• Battle stars awarded in WWII: 20
• Type of ship: Aircraft carrier
• Group: Yorktown-class
• Year introduced: 1938
• Crew size: 2,217

The USS Enterprise was America's most decorated ship in WWII. The USS Enterprise was highly effective in combat, contributing significantly to the downing of enemy aircraft and the sinking of enemy ships. It also damaged or destroyed another 192 ships and was vital in the Doolittle Raids.

The ship severely damaged Japanese carriers in the Battle of Midway and provided cover during the Guadalcanal landings. The Enterprise also served in the Battle of the Eastern Solomon Islands, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa. The USS Enterprise was instrumental in defeating Japanese naval air forces and is one of the most legendary warships of WWII.