The United States remained neutral for the first few years of World War II. However, the Imperial Japanese Navy, aware of America’s potential impact, pre-emptively attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The aim of this surprise attack was to destroy as much of the U.S. fleet as possible and prevent the U.S. from making a significant contribution to future war efforts. (These are the Biggest US Naval Battles of WWII.)
Unfortunately for the Axis forces, this strategy backfired. Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy rebuilt its fleet exponentially. By the end of the war, the Navy had added more than 5,300 ships to its initial 700.
Conversely, Japan’s naval force suffered many devastating blows. The country lost four fleet carriers in the Battle of Midway (1942) and three carriers in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (1944). Two additional carriers were also damaged during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. These monumental losses left Japan without the time or ability to replenish its fleet.
This June marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Allied invasion of Normandy. This historical event, however, could not have succeeded without the overwhelming power of the U.S. Navy. Over the course of the war, the power of the American Navy continually brought success to the Allied Forces, with a select few earning several battle stars for their service. These honorific commendations were awarded to American ships in recognition of their exceptional service in battles, campaigns, and other engagements. By the end of the war, 15 U.S. ships received 15 or more battle stars.
To determine America’s most decorated ships in WWII, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Official Military Ribbons, an online database containing records of WWII ships and their military decorations. Our ranking is ordered by the number of battle stars each ship received in WWII and includes only the top 15 with the highest number of stars. In addition, we included information about the type of ship, the year it was introduced, and other various military details.
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Here are the most highly decorated US ships of WWII:
15. USS Fletcher (DD-445)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 15 (tied)
- Type of ship: Destroyer
- Group: Fletcher-class
- Year introduced: 1942
- Crew size: 273
USS Fletcher (DD-445) continued
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 served as an active patrol and escort and was 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.
14. USS San Diego (CL-53)
- Battle stars awarded in WWI: 15 (tied)
- Type of ship: Light cruiser
- Group: Atlanta-class
- Year introduced: 1942
- Crew size: 796
USS San Diego (CL-53) continued
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 a vital player 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.
13. USS Buchanan (DD-484)
- Battle stars awarded in WWI: 15 (tied)
- Type of ship: Destroyer
- Group: Gleaves-class
- Year introduced: 1941
- Crew size: 212
USS Buchanan (DD-484) continued
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.
12. USS Maury (DD-401)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
- Type of ship: Destroyer
- Group: Gridley-class
- Year introduced: 1936
- Crew size: 176
USS Maury (DD-401) continued
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 further 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.
11. USS Morris (DD-417)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
- Type of ship: Destroyer
- Group: Sims-class
- Year introduced: 1940
- Crew size: 192
USS Morris (DD-417) continued
The USS Morris was part of the North Atlantic Patrol during the war. Later, the ship 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 acted as a rescuer for 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.
10. USS Nicholas (DD-449)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
- Type of ship: Destroyer
- Group: Fletcher-class
- Year introduced: 1942
- Crew size: 336
USS Nicholas (DD-449) continued
The destroyer USS Nicholas served as an escort in Guadalcanal and participated in the Battle of Kula Gulf and the Battle of Kolombangara. The ship also received the Presidential Unit Citation for its service during the Battle of Kula Gulf.
USS Nicholas served in the liberation of Luzon, Tarakan, and various other islands. The ship also participated in the repatriation of prisoners of war and went on to serve in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
9. USS Russell (DD-414)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
- Type: Destroyer
- Class: Sims-class
- Year introduced: 1938
- Crew size: 192
USS Russell (DD-414) continued
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.
8. USS Taylor (DD-468)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
- Type of ship: Destroyer
- Group: Fletcher-class
- Year introduced: 1942
- Crew size: 336
USS Taylor (DD-469) continued
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 and later served in the Gilbert Islands campaign and raids on the Marshall Islands.
7. USS New Orleans (CA-32)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
- Type of ship: Heavy cruiser
- Group: New Orleans-class
- Year introduced: 1934
- Crew size: 915
USS New Orleans (CA-32) continued
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 it was decommissioned in 1947.
6. USS Portland (CA-33)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
- Type of ship: Heavy cruiser
- Group: Portland-class
- Year introduced: 1933
- Crew size: 848
USS Portland (CA-33) continued
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, the Battle of Coral Sea, and the Guadalcanal Campaign.
Although it was damaged at Guadalcanal by an enemy torpedo, the USS Portland was repaired and continued to serve in the war. The ship supported the Allied landings at Okinawa and in bringing veterans home during Operation Magic Carpet.
5. USS Saufley (DD-465)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 16 (tied)
- Type of ship: Destroyer
- Group: Fletcher-class
- Year introduced: 1942
- Crew size: 329
USS Saufley (DD-465) continued
The USS Saufley served in many WWII missions conducting anti-shipping sweets, escorting reinforcements, and providing shore bombardment. It also played an important 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.
4. USS Minneapolis (CA-36)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 17 (tied)
- Type of ship: Heavy cruiser
- Group: New Orleans-class
- Year introduced: 1934
- Crew size: 708
USS Minneapolis (CA-36) continued
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 the Battle of Coral Sea. During the Battle of Tassafaronga, it was hit by two torpedos but went on to engage in later campaigns until the war ended.
3. USS San Francisco (CA-38)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 17 (tied)
- Type of ship: Heavy cruiser
- Group: New Orleans-class
- Year introduced: 1934
- Crew size: 904
USS San Francisco (CA-38) continued
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 served in the recovery of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians. The USS San Francisco also participated in campaigns in the Marshall Islands, Marianas, and Ryukyus.
2. USS O’Bannon (DD-450)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 17 (tied)
- Type of ship: Destroyer
- Group: Fletcher-class
- Year introduced: 1942
- Crew size: 329
USS O’Bannon (DD-450) continued
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 to sink the Japanese battle Hiei. O’Bannon sank a Japanese destroyer in the Battle of Vella Lavella and helped to 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.
1. USS Enterprise (CV-6)
- Battle stars awarded in WWII: 20
- Type of ship: Aircraft carrier
- Group: Yorktown-class
- Year introduced: 1938
- Crew size: 2,217
USS Enterprise (CV-6) continued
The USS Enterprise was America’s most decorated ship in WWII. An aircraft carrier, the Enterprise shot down 911 enemy aircraft and sank 71 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 the defeat of Japanese naval air forces and is one of the most legendary warships of WWII.
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