Captain Thomas Pinney, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Built near the end of World War II, Gearing-class destroyers saw little action in that conflict. But they were very active in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The class was highly modified to counter the Soviet submarine threat during the Cold War, serving for more than 30 years in a wide variety of roles.
Victor Sussman
The Fletcher-class destroyers: 175 hulls and the last, BAM Cuitláhuac (the former John Rodgers [DD-574]), served Mexico until 2001. Across seven decades and in two centuries, Fletchers have served countless surface warriors in the U.S. and allied navies. There can be no better return on investment than that.
Michael Ravnitzky
The Oliver Hazard Perry–class frigates were durable, versatile, and cost-effective, proving their worth in diverse threat environments. The Flight III “Fig Sevens” served for more than 30 years in varied roles. Even as decommissioned targets, they were tough to destroy. In 2016, the ex-Thach (FFG-43) withstood multiple strikes before being sunk.
Commander Timothy Dugan, U.S. Navy (Retired)
The Chelan County–class landing ships, tank (originally the LST-542 class), were 320 feet long and 50 feet wide, and 611 of them were built during World War II. Construction took about three months at a cost of about $2 million each. They saw extensive service in Korea and Vietnam.
Chief Petty Officer John M. Duffy, U.S. Navy (Retired)
The “double ender” Leahy-class guided-missile cruisers. I served twice on board the USS Reeves (CG-24), and she performed superbly forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the USS Midway battle group and again once she returned to Pearl Harbor. Decommissioned in November 1993, she could have served another ten years.
Commander Jay Plager, U.S. Navy (Retired)
The Haskell-class amphibious attack transports—455-foot long, deep-draft ships that carried troops and landing craft—were a variant of the Victory-class cargo ships. A basic part of the Navy’s amphibious warfare operations, they were used in Marine Corps and Army landings throughout World War II and Korea and in training service well after that.
Commander Doug Burns, U.S. Navy (Retired)
The Spruance-class destroyers. A modified version of their power plant is now the power plant on all surface combatants (except amphibious ships). And with modifications, the Spruance-class hull design is still afloat in frontline combatants.
Chief Petty Officer Craig Faust, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired)
The T3 tankers were serving the fleet in the last years before the attack on Pearl Harbor and some were still in harness in the 1990s. Not bad for unsung workhorses.
Chief Warrant Officer Louis Bruneau, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired)
There was no class of ship more important to victory in World War II than the Fletcher-class destroyer. There were 175 of them. They were involved in many different missions and battles and earned many awards. Much has been written, so I will not try to retell their story.
Andrew K. Blackley, Independent Historian
The sloop-of-war Hartford. Commissioned in 1859, she saw 30 years of service, mostly in the Pacific, but famously as Admiral David Farragut’s flagship at Mobile Bay and then 36 years training future admirals, including Bull Halsey and Chester Nimitz. Shamefully neglected, she sank at her berth in the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1956.
Walter Lyon, U.S. Navy Veteran
The Gearing class was the culmination of destroyer design in World War II. This class went on to the Korean conflict and Mercury missions and then was modernized and refit for Cold War service in the brilliant fleet rehabilitation and modernization program. Most were decommissioned in the mid 1970s and transferred to allied navies, serving until about 2000—a service of 55 years. Fast, tough, versatile, dependable, and as sweet a ship as can be imagined.
Bill Strupczewski
Without a doubt, the Oliver Hazard Perry–class frigate. Actions in the Persian Gulf in the 1980s and during various sinking exercises showed they were tough ships and tough to sink. Ships built more than 40 years ago are still in service with fleets around the world.
Christian Milord, U.S. Coast Guard Veteran
The best vessel in the naval inventory is the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The carrier can stay at sea for extended periods as it projects power across the globe. Carrier endurance and reach are multiplied because of the range of its fighter aircraft and its ISR capabilities. The modern carrier has a slight edge over the submarine force regarding return on investment.
Robert Jones, U.S. Navy Veteran
The ability to deploy and project U.S. naval surface and air power to any location on the globe for extended periods of time without refueling makes the nuclear aircraft carrier the ultimate surface ship. Capable of deploying multiple sensors and armed with defensive weapons and electronics in addition to its tactical and strategic air capabilities make it an unmatched force.
The Gearing-class destroyer USS Basilone (DDE-824) underway, taken in the 1950s when the ship was classified as a DDE. (U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive)
Captain Howard C. Cohen, U.S. Navy reserve (Retired)
During World War II, the Navy commissioned 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers, the backbone of victory and the most numerous class of capital warships in the 20th century. A significant upgrade from previous designs, they featured larger air groups, extended flight decks, advanced antiaircraft guns, and improved radar systems.
John Snyder, U.S. Navy Veteran
Hands down, the Essex-class aircraft carriers. Improved Yorktown-class ships, they entered service in late 1942 and served well in World War II, Korea, the Cold War, Vietnam, and beyond, forming the backbone of the carrier fleet until replaced by supercarriers. They did all that was asked of them and more for three decades.
Dean M. Vander Linde, U.S. Navy Veteran
The Wickes/Clemson “four piper” destroyers. While unsuited for fleet operations in World War II, they performed yeoman service in a number of secondary roles: As minesweepers, mine layers, fast transports, seaplane tenders, and convoy escorts.
Technical Sergeant James A. Squires, U.S. Air Force (Retired)
I have been an avid reader of naval history books for 65 years. I can’t decide between the Fletcher-class destroyer or the Essex-class carrier as the best value. Both fantastic ships!
Jim Allred
Landing ship, tanks (LSTs). The workhorse of victory and future foundation of all amphibious operations today.
Marc Higgins, U.S. Navy Veteran
The Sumner/Gearing-class destroyer. Enough said.
