The USS Leyte Gulf embarked on its final deployment in early 2024. Commissioned in 1987, this Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser is one of the oldest active ships in the U.S. Navy with almost four decades of service. Named after the critical battle of World War II, the USS Leyte Gulf is armed with a variety of weapons, including two Seahawk helicopters and an arsenal of guided missiles.
Throughout its long career, the USS Leyte Gulf has played a vital role in protecting shipping lanes and even participated in the Desert Storm operation. Most recently, its crew captured a semi-submersible drug-trafficking vessel. (These are the 19 ships and submarines of the U.S. Navy.)
This impressive ship ends its career with a well-deserved retirement later this year, leaving behind a proud legacy. Ships like the USS Leyte Gulf are why the U.S. Navy is one of the largest and most powerful maritime forces in the world, with a fleet of over 240 ships and submarines supported by more than 335,000 active personnel. (This country has the most military submarines.)
While the U.S. Navy continuously adds to and strengthens its fleet with new vessels, much of its power comes from older ships like the USS Leyte Gulf. In fact, the average hull age of U.S. ships is 24 years, with some that are much older.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Naval Vessel Register directory of commissioned vessels in the U.S. to identify America’s oldest ships and submarines and cross-referenced this with data from the World Directory of Modern Military Warships regarding the class or type of each warship. We focused on commissioned ships and submarines that have served for at least 35 years, identified the U.S. Navy’s oldest vessels, and ranked them by age.
Why We’re Covering This
The ships and submarines of the U.S. Navy represent a significant investment by the American government as well as the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a strong and capable fleet. Older active vessels demonstrate the quality and operational effectiveness of American ships. Their enduring presence in the fleet proves that age is not a weakness. Instead, it signifies a well-maintained and reliable ship.
Here is a look at the U.S. Navy’s oldest ships and submarines:
23. USS Tennessee
The USS Tennessee was commissioned on December 17, 1988. It is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.
22. USS San Juan
The USS San Jane was commissioned on August 6, 1988. It is a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
21. USS Leyte Gulf
The USS Leyte Gulf was commissioned on September 26, 1987. It is a Ticonderoga-class cruiser.
20. USS Key West
The USS Key West was commissioned on September 12, 1987. It is a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
19. USS Helena
The USS Helena was commissioned on July 11, 1987. It is a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
18. USS Antietam
The USS Antietam was commissioned on June 6, 1987. It is a Ticonderoga-class cruiser.
17. USS Theodore Roosevelt
The USS Theodore Roosevelt was commissioned on October 25, 1986. It is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
16. USS Nevada
The USS Nevada was commissioned on August 16, 1986. It is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.
15. USS Germantown
The USS Germantown was commissioned on February 8, 1986. It is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship.
14. USS Alaska
The USS Alaska was commissioned on January 25, 1986. It is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.
13. USS Alabama
The USS Alabama was commissioned on May 25, 1985. It is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.
12. USS Henry M. Jackson
The USS Henry M. Jackson was commissioned on October 6, 1984. It is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.
11. USS Georgia
The USS Georgia was commissioned on February 11, 1984. It is an Ohio-class guided missile submarine.
10. USS Florida
The USS Florida was commissioned on June 18, 1983. It is an Ohio-class guided missile submarine.
9. USS Michigan
The USS Michigan was commissioned on September 11, 1982. It is an Ohio-class guided missile submarine.
8. USS Carl Vinson
The USS Carl Vinson was commissioned on March 13, 1982. It is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
7. USS Ohio
The USS Ohio was commissioned on November 11, 1981. It is an Ohio-class guided missile submarine.
6. USS Frank Cable
The USS Frank Cable was commissioned on October 29, 1979. It is an Emory S. Land-class submarine tender.
5. USS Emory S. Land
The USS Emory S. Land was commissioned on July 7, 1979. It is an Emory S. Land-class submarine tender.
4. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was commissioned on October 18, 1977. It is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
3. USS Nimitz
The USS Nimitz was commissioned on May 3, 1975. It is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
2. USS Mount Whitney
The USS Mount Whitney was commissioned on January 16, 1971. It is a Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship.
1. USS Blue Ridge
The USS Blue Ridge was commissioned on November 14, 1970. It is a Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship.
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