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.

Honors awarded that are not listed may include:

• Honors awarded by countries other than the United States (e.g., Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, British Admiralty Pennant)
• Honors awarded to all units for serving active duty during World War II; including active duty before US entry in the war (e.g., American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal)
• Honors awarded to vessels for campaigns other than World War II service (e.g. Korean War service, Vietnam War service).

Vessel	World War II Service Awards
USS Enterprise (CV-6)	20 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation Navy Unit Commendation[1]
USS San Diego (CL-53)	18 Battle Stars[2][3] though the Naval Historical center only lists 15 battle stars.[4]
USS San Francisco (CA-38)	17 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation[5]
USS O'Bannon (DD-450)	17 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation[6]
USS New Orleans (CA-32)	17 Battle Stars,[7] though the Naval Historical center lists 16 battle stars.[8]
USS Minneapolis (CA-36)	17 Battle Stars[9]
USS Maury (DD-401)	16 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation[10]
USS Nicholas (DD-449)	16 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation[11]
USS Buchanan (DD-484)	16 Battle Stars Presidential Unit Citation[12]
USS Portland (CA-33)	16 Battle Stars Navy Unit Commendation[13]
USS Russell (DD-414)	16 Battle Stars[14]
USS Saufley (DD-465)	16 Battle Stars[15]
USS Taylor (DD-468)	15 Battle Stars (Naval History and Heritage Command only lists 14 Battle stars for USS Taylor.[16]) Navy Unit Commendation[17]
USS Thresher (SS-200)	15 Battle Stars Navy Unit Commendation[18]
USS North Carolina (BB-55)	15 Battle Stars[19]
USS Morris (DD-417)	15 Battle Stars[20]
USS Fletcher (DD-445)	15 Battle Stars[21]
USS Narwhal (SS-167)	15 Battle Stars[22]