This original RESTRICTED marked ONI 54-B Series of U.S. Naval Vessels was printed in November of 1943, ONI 54-B U.S. Naval Vessels presents a categorical description of the various ships that constituted the U.S. fleet in World War II. Created by the Office of Naval Intelligence, which produced an important series of recognition guides for officers and staff, ONI 226 covers battleships, carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, minor surface combatants, auxiliaries, and landing craft. It also covers ships and vessels operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition to descriptive text, the book contains numerous data tables, designation information, outboard drawings and photographs. When it was originally printed, the information presented in this book was so important that it was classified as restricted.

Many of the ships in this booklet are some of the most notable ship of WWII and saw extensive combat in the Pacific and European Theater of operations. Notable ID ships in book include ships in the South Dakota Class, Tennessee Class, New Mexico Class, and the New York Class.