Ships Named After U.S. Presidents: A Nautical Honor Roll!
From battleships that fought in world wars to modern aircraft carriers and submarines, the U.S. Navy has a long tradition of naming powerful vessels after presidents. It's a way to honor leadership, bravery, and history on the high seas! Here’s a fun, kid-friendly list of some of the most famous (and current) ships named after U.S. presidents. We’ve included what kind of ship they are, when they served (or are serving), and a cool fact for each one.
- USS George Washington (CVN-73) – Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Commissioned: 1992 – still active!
Fun fact for kids: This giant ship is longer than three football fields and carries about 90 airplanes. It can launch planes faster than you can say “takeoff”! - USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) – Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Commissioned: 1989 – still in service.
Fun fact: In 2003, President George W. Bush landed on its deck in a fighter jet with the famous “Mission Accomplished” banner—super dramatic! - USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) – Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Commissioned: 1986 – still active.
Fun fact: Nicknamed “Big Stick” after Teddy Roosevelt’s famous quote “Speak softly and carry a big stick”—this ship is definitely a big stick! - USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) – Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Commissioned: 2003 – still active.
Fun fact: It’s the only carrier named after a 20th-century president who was alive when named—Reagan attended its christening! - USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) – Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Commissioned: 1998 – still active.
Fun fact: Named after the president who said “The buck stops here”—this ship’s motto is “The buck stops with the Nimitz-class!” - USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) – Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Commissioned: Expected 2025–2026 (currently under construction).
Fun fact: This is the second ship named after JFK—the first was a conventional carrier decommissioned in 2007. - USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) – Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Commissioned: 1977 – still active.
Fun fact: Nicknamed “Ike” (just like the president), it’s one of the oldest carriers still sailing! - USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) – Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Commissioned: 2009 – still active.
Fun fact: The last of the Nimitz-class carriers—President George H.W. Bush (a WWII Navy pilot) helped christen it himself! - USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) – Seawolf-class nuclear submarine
Commissioned: 2005 – still active.
Fun fact: This super-secret sub can dive deeper and stay quieter than almost any other—perfect for a president known for peace talks! - USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) – Aircraft carrier (retired)
Commissioned: 1945 – decommissioned 1977.
Fun fact: Named after FDR, it was one of the first big carriers after WWII and served in the Korean War.
