What is the most legendary ship in the US Navy?

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:34:31 -0500

With the anniversary of Pearl Harbor tomorrow I've been reading about many of the ships there such as the USS Nevada which served in WWI, Pearl Harbor, D-Day and the Pacific. It got me thinking about all the ships our Navy has had and the impression many of them had on history. Lots of good nominations and many with merit. Some have just been around forever and others are just plain badass.

These were the first ones that jumped out at me:

- USS Arizona
- USS Nevada
- USS Enterprise
- USS Constitution
- USS Monitor

What are your top 3?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2016 2:41 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:41:03 -0500

What about the USS Maine?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2016 2:45 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:45:51 -0500

But honestly, I would have to throw my vote to the Constitution, as it is still in Active Naval Service after all these years.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2016 2:46 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:46:24 -0500

SSG Carlos Madden I have been to Hawaii twice when we landed to refuel on the way to and on the way back from Vietnam. I want to go to Hawaii to see the USS Arizona which has a special place in my heart. I would add USS New Jersey, USS Yorktown and USS Hornet to the list

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 6 at 2016 2:52 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:52:20 -0500

The USS Parche (SSN 683) is the most highly decorated USN ship in history.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2016 3:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 15:34:15 -0500

Big Mo

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 6 at 2016 4:42 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 16:42:01 -0500

I'm a Romantic, A History Freak, A Geek. My 1st would be Constitution, My 2nd would be Arizona, My 3rd would be Monitor. I served on USS California CGN-36 and USS Arkansas CGN-41.

Response by SPC Tyler Engebretson made Dec 6 at 2016 5:08 PM

SPC Tyler Engebretson — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 17:08:05 -0500

Sailing into Pearl Harbor aboard USS JCS, I was privileged to perform passing honors for the USS Arizona memorial. It has to be the most somber way to see the memorial. I later in port learned about all that really played out during and following the attack, especially regarding the resurfacing of sunken/damaged ships to be repaired and returned to service which, was completed over the course of six months. I can't think of any ships that stand beyond the legacy of these steel beasts and their moment in history.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Dec 6 at 2016 5:41 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 17:41:56 -0500

The USS Constitution, Any BB, USS Parche (SSN-683) for it's bad ass top secret operations during the Cold War.

Honorable mention to USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Cowpens (CG-63), USS Stethem (DDG-63), USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54), USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23), that i all coincidentally served on. :)

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 6 at 2016 5:47 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 17:47:25 -0500

For many of us, it's the ship we got beat up in but brought us home. So my vote would be skewed greatly.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Dec 6 at 2016 11:50 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 23:50:08 -0500

USS Constitution

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Dec 6 at 2016 11:51 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 23:51:04 -0500

Second pick would be the USS Arizona.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 7 at 2016 12:59 AM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 00:59:25 -0500

SSG Carlos Madden I am appreciative of your interest and appreciation of Naval History, Carlos. Many ground-pounders fail to recognize that we are, in fact, warfighters that have had significant impact upon the destiny of our country. Indeed, the world.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 6:17 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 06:17:04 -0500

The Missouri would have to be close to the top of the list!

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 8 at 2016 10:33 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:33:57 -0500

Amazed USS Missouri didn't make your first cut. My top 3 would be:
USS Constitution
USS Missouri
USS Yorktown
But then again I'm an Air Force guy and they are all targets, so what do I know?

Response by SGT James Colwell made Dec 8 at 2016 11:25 AM

SGT James Colwell — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 11:25:06 -0500

Ships afloat would be
USS Missouri
USS Constitution

Ships not afloat:
USS Arizona

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 6:50 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 06:50:02 -0500

"Legendary" doesn't have to mean true. Found this story:

The U. S. S.. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators (i.e. fresh water distillers).
However, let it be noted that according to her ship's log, "On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum."
Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping."
Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.
Then she headed for the Azores , arriving there 12 November.. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.
On 18 November, she set sail for England . In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging only the rum aboard each.
By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland . Her landing party captured a whisky distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn. Then she headed home.
The U. S. S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, no wine, no whisky, and 38,600 gallons of water.

Too many errors in this story, but you can see how the Navy uses it for recruiting!