Preserving the USS Fort Worth’s Story — A Conversation with Dr. John Southard

At the heart of every great ship is a story — of the people who built it, sailed it, and supported it from afar. For the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3), that story is being preserved and brought to life thanks to the dedicated efforts of a Fort Worth native whose passion for military history is deeply personal and profoundly impactful.

We sat down with Dr. John Southard, a military historian and former college professor, to learn more about his journey, the exciting work underway to honor the USS Fort Worth, and the powerful stories he’s helping uncover — both on board and beyond.

“I’m originally from Fort Worth and have lived here most of my life, with the exception of eight years when I was in graduate school and teaching at Georgia State University,”

A graduate of TCU and Fort Worth Southwest High School, Dr. Southard holds a PhD in U.S. military history and spent years teaching American history and the Vietnam War at the collegiate level. He even authored a book on the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.

In 2014, he transitioned from academia to the business world — a pivot he describes as “admittedly random,” but one that never fully pulled him away from his first love: military history.

Over the past few years, he’s reconnected with that passion through historical exhibit design and storytelling collaborations with organizations like the Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks. It was through a mutual connection that he was introduced to Karen Vermaire Fox and the USS Fort Worth Support Committee — and the opportunity to preserve the ship’s legacy.

“It was an incredible opportunity and one I knew I had to say yes to.”

Currently, Dr. Southard is leading a monumental effort to catalog and preserve the history of the USS Fort Worth.

“We just completed a full inventory of the hundreds of artifacts and historical documents tied to the ship,” he explained.

That inventory, made possible with help from the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, provides a strong foundation for the next chapter: building a public exhibit.

The goal? “To bring the ship’s history to life through a powerful, visual story that honors the ship, its crew, and the pride the city of Fort Worth has in both.”

The exhibit is still in development, but the vision is clear: make history accessible and meaningful through authentic storytelling rooted in real artifacts and lived experiences.

While the project has uncovered everything from newspaper clippings to official correspondence and awards, it’s the personal artifacts that stand out most.

“We have American flags that were flown on the ship, signal flags used during operations, and other objects that were physically present at key moments in the ship’s life,” Dr. Southard said. “Those pieces don’t just tell a story, they carry the weight of real experiences.”

These are the items that bridge the gap between history and humanity — symbols of the people who served, and the missions they carried out.

With so many possibilities ahead, Dr. Southard sees the exhibit as just the beginning. He envisions a published piece detailing the ship’s origin, commissioning, and decade of service. He’s also passionate about conducting interviews with the sailors and public servants who brought the USS Fort Worth to life.

“If you’re interested in supporting this effort, I encourage you to visit the USS Fort Worth Support Committee website,” he said. https://www.ussfortworth.org is the best place to stay connected and get involved.

Dr. Southard’s commitment to military storytelling is rooted in his own family history. Both of his grandfathers served in WWII, but it was his father — a Marine in Vietnam — who inspired his academic focus and lifelong dedication to honoring veterans.

“Everything I do in this space comes back to a deep belief that these stories matter,” he said. “They’re some of the most important and fascinating stories we have as a country. And every veteran’s story deserves to be remembered.”

In addition to his work with the USS Fort Worth, Dr. Southard recently launched a deeply personal project: Your Veteran’s History (www.yourveteranshistory.com). It’s a research and storytelling service that uncovers the untold stories of veterans from World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

“Every day, people wonder what a family member did in the war. But so often, those veterans never spoke about it — and for good reason,” he shared. “What we do is answer those lingering questions through serious archival research and custom-written books that tell the full story of a loved one’s service.”

It’s meaningful work, and it’s deeply aligned with his mission: to preserve history, honor service, and make sure no story is forgotten.

Follow Along & Get Involved

As the USS Fort Worth project evolves, so does the opportunity to get involved — whether through supporting the upcoming exhibit, sharing a story, or contributing to the ongoing efforts of the Support Committee.