Most decorated US Naval vessels of World War II

This list catalogs the most honored US Naval vessels of the Second World War. It is placed in descending order of earned Battle Stars; descending accorded unit recognitions; descending ship size by type; and ascending hull number. It contains only vessels that earned fifteen or more Battle Stars for World War II service. Honors awarded that are not listed may include:

  • Honors awarded by countries other than the United States (e.g., Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, British Admiralty Pennant)
  • Honors awarded to all units for serving active duty during World War II; including active duty before US entry in the war (e.g., American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal)
  • Honors awarded to vessels for campaigns other than World War II service (e.g. Korean War service, Vietnam War service).
VesselWorld War II Service Awards

USS Enterprise (CV-6)

 20 Battle Stars

Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation[1]


USS San Diego (CL-53)

 18 Battle Stars[2][3] though the Naval Historical center only lists 15 battle stars.[4]

USS San Francisco (CA-38)

 17 Battle Stars

Presidential Unit Citation[5]


USS O'Bannon (DD-450)

 17 Battle Stars

Presidential Unit Citation[6]


USS New Orleans (CA-32)

 17 Battle Stars,[7] though the Naval Historical center lists 16 battle stars.[8]

USS Minneapolis (CA-36)

 17 Battle Stars[9]

USS Maury (DD-401)

 16 Battle Stars

Presidential Unit Citation[10]


USS Nicholas (DD-449)

 16 Battle Stars

Presidential Unit Citation[11]


USS Buchanan (DD-484)

 16 Battle Stars

Presidential Unit Citation[12]


USS Portland (CA-33)

 16 Battle Stars

Navy Unit Commendation[13]


USS Russell (DD-414)

 16 Battle Stars[14]

USS Saufley (DD-465)

 16 Battle Stars[15]

USS Taylor (DD-468)

 15 Battle Stars

Navy Unit Commendation[16]


USS Thresher (SS-200)

 15 Battle Stars

Navy Unit Commendation[17]


USS North Carolina (BB-55)

 15 Battle Stars[18]

USS Morris (DD-417)

 15 Battle Stars[19]

USS Fletcher (DD-445)

 15 Battle Stars[20]

USS Narwhal (SS-167)

 15 Battle Stars[21]

References
  1. Yarnall, Paul. "USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6)". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  2. "San Diego LPD-22". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. The eighteen (18) gold stars pay tribute to the battle stars awarded to light cruiser San Diego (CL-53) for her service during World War II
  3. "USS San Diego (CL-53) Memorial". Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  4. "San Diego II". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  5. Wiper, Steve (2000). New Orleans Class Cruisers: Warship Pictorial #7. Tucson, Az: Classic Warships Publishing. p. 58. ISBN 0-9654829-6-0.
  6. "USS O'Bannon DD-540". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  7. Brown, Herbert C. (2001). Hell at Tassafaronga. Kearney, NE: Morris Publishing. pp. 191. ISBN 0-9700721-4-7.
  8. "New Orleans II". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  9. "Minneapolis II". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  10. "USS Maury DD-401". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  11. "USS Nicholas DD-449". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  12. "USS Buchanan DD-484". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  13. Stables, Joe. "The Portland's History". Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  14. "USS Russell DD-414". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  15. "Fletcher class". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  16. "USS Taylor DD-468". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  17. "USS Thresher SS200 History". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  18. "History". North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  19. "USS Morris DD-417". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  20. "USS Fletcher DD-445". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  21. "USS Narwhal SS-167 Kill Record". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
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