When Was the Last Time, the U.S. Navy Sank an Enemy Vessel?

3/4/26 Reuters:

GALLE, Sri Lanka/WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on ​Wednesday, dramatically widening Washington's pursuit of the Iranian navy.

Sri Lanka's deputy foreign minister ​said at least 80 people were killed in the attack on the ⁠frigate IRIS Dena, which was heading back to Iranfrom an eastern Indian port.

I am sorry for the sailors aboard. I have no idea if they were conscripts or not. Unfortunately, Iran has been at war with us since 1979 and we are finally dealing with it.

According to Sec. Hegseth, this is the first submarine sinking since 1945.