| Battleships (BB) | States of the Union |
| Aircraft carriers (CV, CVL) | Famous battles; famous predecessor ships |
| Escort carriers (CVE) | Sounds and bays; battles of World War II |
| Heavy cruisers (CA) | Cities and towns |
| Light cruisers (CL) | Cities and towns |
| Destroyers (DD) | U.S. Navy/Marine officers and enlisted men |
| Destroyer escorts (DE) | U.S. Navy/Marine officers and enlisted men |
| Submarines (SS) | Fish and marine creatures |
| Minelayers (CM, DM) | Historic monitors of the U.S. Navy |
| Minesweepers (AM) | Birds |
| Oilers (AO) | Rivers |
| Transports (AP) | Presidents; famous Americans; historic places |
| Hospital ships (AH) | Words of comfort |
| Ammunition ships (AE) | Volcanoes |
| Cargo ships (AK) | Stars; counties of the United States |
| Tugboats (ATA, ATF) | Indian tribes |