“No longer uses” means the U.S. Navy has ended service with the class—not merely that one ship was decommissioned. A vessel could return to service after time in reserve, and a class could serve in different configurations. The available official records firmly identify two classes and a third ship whose class-wide retirement date is not established here; they do not verify five complete class retirements. Rather than fill the list with guesses, this guide separates confirmed endpoints from useful examples that need a final-ship check.
What counts as a retired ship class?
A class is out of Navy service only once its final serving ship has left the fleet for good. A ship’s first decommissioning is not necessarily the class’s endpoint: vessels can be recommissioned after reserve periods, and ships in a class may serve in more than one configuration. The Iowa-class battleships illustrate why the distinction matters: Iowa returned to service after its post–World War II decommissioning, and the class’s four battleships were later recommissioned and upgraded in the 1980s. NHHC’s Iowa ship record documents that history.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Former classes with documented final ships
| Class and role | Last ship identified | Recorded endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Fletcher-class destroyers | Uhlmann | Decommissioned July 15, 1972 |
| Essex-class attack carriers | Oriskany | Decommissioned September 30, 1976 |
Fletcher-class destroyers
NHHC identifies Uhlmann as the Navy’s last Fletcher-class destroyer and records its decommissioning on July 15, 1972. The ship served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, showing how a wartime class could remain in the fleet across several decades. See the NHHC record for Uhlmann.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallEssex-class attack carriers
The Navy’s aviation history names Oriskany as the last Essex-class attack carrier and gives September 30, 1976, as its decommissioning date. “Attack carrier” is the specific category used in that record; it should not be broadened into a claim about every carrier configuration in the Essex class. The date and designation appear in the Navy’s history of naval aviation carriers.
#1 Best Overall
- English Instructions included
- Glue and paint not included
- Ready-to-assemble plastic model kit
- Photo-etched parts included
- This product is suitable for ages over 14 only
A lead ship’s retirement does not date the class’s retirement
Oliver Hazard Perry was the lead ship of its guided-missile frigate class and was decommissioned in 1997, according to NHHC’s ship record and account of Operation Praying Mantis. But the lead ship’s own retirement does not establish when the last ship of its class left Navy service. Without a verified final ship and final service date, it should not be counted here as a confirmed class-wide endpoint.
Why fleet roles changed
Class retirements took place amid broader changes in fleet size and mission needs, rather than for one uniform reason. NHHC’s Navy ship force-level history tracks postwar and post-Cold War reductions and decommissioning of older vessels.
Rank #2
- This plastic model kit requires plastic cement and paint for assembly, and they are sold separately.
For battleships, the changing reach of naval aviation helps explain the shift in their relative importance. NHHC’s battleship overview describes how aircraft could strike from beyond battleship-gun range and deliver comparable or greater power. That context explains a change in the battleship’s centrality; it is not, by itself, a complete explanation for every individual ship’s decommissioning.
What retirement means for the ships
A class leaving Navy service does not mean every ship was immediately scrapped. Individual vessels can be preserved, transferred, or disposed of through different processes. Class retirement describes the Navy’s use of the ships, not the fate of every hull afterward.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ALL-INCLUDED MODEL KIT – Get straight into model building without the hassle of looking for paint, glue, or accessories; this model gift set kit includes basic Revell paints, a brush, and glue.
- SKILL LEVEL 4 – DETAILED & REWARDING - Designed for intermediate to advanced builders, offering a balanced and rewarding model building experience for ages 12+
- DETAILED 1:1200 SCALE USS NEW JERSEY MODEL – Build a replica of the legendary USS New Jersey (BB-62), one of the most famous Iowa-class battleships in U.S. Navy history, recreated in 1:1200 scale.
- 45-PART MODEL WITH REALISTIC SHIP DETAILS – Features 45 parts, a detailed deck, and realistic structures that capture the distinctive appearance of this historic battleship.
- AUTHENTIC MARKINGS FOR HISTORICAL ACCURACY – Includes decals for authentic markings, allowing builders to create a historically inspired representation of the USS New Jersey.
Rank #4
- 1/72nd scale
- Highly detailed cockpit interior and landing gear
- Authentic markings available for two versions
- Optional part to build as -3 or -5 version included
- Paint and glue not included
Rank #3
- The modern equipment including Tomahawk and Harpoon missile launchers as well as Phalanx CIWS are highly detailed
- Other accessories include two 1/350 scale 16-inch shells and two Tomahawk missiles
- 1/350 Scale Warship
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
