USS is the abbreviation for United States ship. It is not part of the ship's name and should not be italicized along with the ship.
By comparison, HMS is the abbreviation for Her Majesty's ship, or ships of the United Kingdom.
HMAS is the abbreviation for Her Majesty's Australian ship, or ships of Australia.
Examples
- USS Agate
- USS Barber (DE 161)
- USS Beckham
- USS Bellerophon (ARL-31)
- USS Growler (SS-215)
- USS Hornet (CV-12)
- USS Iowa (BB-61)
- USS Kearsarge
- USS Kitty Hawk
- USS New Ironsides
- USS O'Bannon (DD-450)
- USS Philadelphia (sail frigate)
- USS Phoenix (CL-46)
- USS Saginaw
- USS Sturgeon
- USS Thresher (SSN 593)
- USS Triton (SSN-586)