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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).

Vessel	World War II Service Awards
USS Enterprise (CV-6)	20 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation Navy Unit Commendation
USS San Diego (CL-53)	18 Battle Stars though the Naval Historical center only lists 15 battle stars.
USS San Francisco (CA-38)	17 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation
USS O'Bannon (DD-450)	17 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation
USS New Orleans (CA-32)	17 Battle Stars, though the Naval Historical center lists 16 battle stars.
USS Minneapolis (CA-36)	17 Battle Stars
USS Maury (DD-401)	16 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation
USS Nicholas (DD-449)	16 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation
USS Buchanan (DD-484)	16 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation
USS Portland (CA-33)	16 Battle Stars Navy Unit Commendation
USS Russell (DD-414)	16 Battle Stars
USS Saufley (DD-465)	16 Battle Stars
USS Taylor (DD-468)	15 Battle Stars (Naval History and Heritage Command only lists 14 Battle stars for USS Taylor.) Navy Unit Commendation
USS Thresher (SS-200)	15 Battle Stars Navy Unit Commendation
USS North Carolina (BB-55)	15 Battle Stars
USS Morris (DD-417)	15 Battle Stars
USS Fletcher (DD-445)	15 Battle Stars
USS Narwhal (SS-167)	15 Battle Stars

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. "Taylor I". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. 28 June 2019.
17. "USS Taylor DD-468". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
18. "USS Thresher SS200 History". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
19. "History". North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
20. "USS Morris DD-417". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
21. "USS Fletcher DD-445". Destroyer History Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
22. "USS Narwhal SS-167 Kill Record". Retrieved 4 May 2012.

• United States Navy in World War II