Most decorated US Naval vessels of World War II
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.
Image: USS Enterprise (CV 6) in Puget Sound, September 1945
Image: USS San Diego (CL 53) underway on 8 March 1944 (NH 97825)
Image: USS San Francisco (CA 38) enters San Francisco Bay, December 1942
Image: USS O'Bannon (DDE 450) off the Mare Island Navy Yard in 1951
A service star is a miniature bronze or silver five-pointed star 3⁄16 inch (4.8 mm) in diameter that is authorized to be worn by members of the eight uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons to denote an additional award or service period. The service star may also be referred to as a campaign star or battle star depending on which award the star is authorized for and the manner in which the device is used for the award. "Battle star" is also the term used to refer to decorations issued by the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War to individual ships, recognizing a vessel's participation in a particular battle or operation.
Stars on service ribbons