USS Colleton

Last updated

USS Colleton (APB-36) with Armoured Troop Carriers in Vietnam c1968.jpg
Colleton with Armoured Troop Carriers in Vietnam, 1968
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameUSS Colleton
Namesake Colleton County, South Carolina
Awarded17 December 1943
Builder Boston Naval Shipyard
Laid down9 June 1945
Launched30 July 1945
Acquired27 September 1946
Commissioned28 January 1967
DecommissionedDecember 1969
Stricken1 June 1973
IdentificationAPB-36
Honors and
awards
Seven battle stars
FateSold for scrap, 1 August 1974
General characteristics
Class and type Benewah-class barracks ship
Displacement2,189 tons (light) 4,080 tons (full)
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft11 ft (3.4 m)
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement193
Armament
  • Two 3 in (76 mm) slow fire gun mounts
  • two quad 40 mm gun mounts
  • ten 7.62 mm machine guns
  • eight 0.50 cal machine guns

USS Colleton (APB-36), was a Benewah-class barracks ship. Colleton's keel was laid on 9 June 1945, launched on 30 July 1945 and delivered on 27 September 1946. She was berthed at Boston, Massachusetts in the custody of the United States Maritime Commission.

After extensive conversion beginning in early-mid 1966, which included a helicopter landing pad, she was commissioned 28 January 1967 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Colleton arrived in Vung Tau, Vietnam on 2 May 1967 for duties in the Mekong Delta under Commander River Assault Flotilla One (also known as Task Force 117 (TF117)). Elements of River Assault Squadron Eleven, and the US Army's 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division embarked on 2 June 1967. During the remainder of the year, operations began taking the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) further west in the Mekong Delta towards Cambodia, creating longer and delayed aeromedical evacuation support for the assault craft and embarked US Army units of the MRF.

It was determined that the MRF needed a larger medical treatment and patient holding capacity and as a result, Colleton was refitted at U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines, in December 1967 and January 1968. The refit expanded the sick bay facilities from one level to two levels and installed a rampway system connecting the levels. (Levels are "decks" above the main deck.) The O-3 level was the helicopter deck and litter storage (port side aft of the helo deck). The O-2 level, connected to the helo deck by a ramp, contained a 6-litter triage, X-ray, blood bank and autoclave. Casualties could also be brought onboard using a hoist for patient transfers from small craft. Another ramp lead from the O-2 level to the O-1 level that contained a two-tabled operating room, recovery rooms, medical supply and storage, 18 bed ward, pharmacy and single chair dental clinic. Arriving in South Vietnam just days before the Tet Offensive, Colleton handled 890 combat casualties from 29 January 1968 May 1968, admitted 134 patients to the ship's ward, and evacuated 411 after providing emergency life-saving treatment and stabilization.

Although there were four APB's assigned to the MRF, only Colleton was refitted to provide expanded medical treatment and holding capability. Although her medical staff did not consist of a full-time surgeon, Colleton served in conjunction with other hospital ships serving further off coast including USS Repose and USS Sanctuary.

Colleton was decommissioned December 1969 in Bremerton, Washington, stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 1 June 1973, and sold to American Ship Dismantlers, of Portland, Oregon for $172,226.62 on 1 August 1974.

Ship awards

USS Colleton Awards.jpg

Combat Action Ribbon [1] Navy Presidential Unit Citation (2)
Navy Unit Commendation (2) National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal (8)
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Peleliu</i>

USS Peleliu (LHA-5) is a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy, named for the Battle of Peleliu of World War II. Entering service in 1980, she has been deployed to the Persian Gulf on several occasions, performed an evacuation of U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, operated with the INTERFET peacekeeping taskforce, participated in Pacific Partnership deployments, and provided assistance following the massive floods in Pakistan in 2010. She was decommissioned in San Diego, California on 31 March 2015. She currently rests, out of commission and in reserve, at NAVSEA Inactive Ships On-site Maintenance Office, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii alongside USS Tarawa in the inactive reserve in case of further need.

USS <i>Valley Forge</i> (CV-45) Essex-class aircraft carrier of the US Navy

USS Valley Forge was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the first US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named after Valley Forge, the 1777–1778 winter encampment of General George Washington's Continental Army. Valley Forge was commissioned in November 1946, too late to serve in World War II, but saw extensive service in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was reclassified in the early 1950s as an attack carrier (CVA), then to an antisubmarine carrier (CVS), and finally to an amphibious assault ship (LPH), carrying helicopters and Marines. As a CVS she served in the Atlantic and Caribbean. She was the prime recovery vessel for an early unmanned Mercury space mission. After conversion to an LPH she served extensively in the Vietnam War. Valley Forge was awarded eight battle stars for Korean War service and nine for Vietnam War service, as well as three Navy Unit Commendations.

RFA <i>Argus</i> (A135) Ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Argus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary operated by the Ministry of Defence under the Blue Ensign. Italian-built, Argus was formerly the container ship MVContender Bezant. The ship was requisitioned in 1982 for service in the Falklands War and purchased outright in 1984 for a four-year conversion to an Aviation Training Ship, replacing RFA Engadine. In 1991, during the Gulf War, she was fitted with an extensive and fully functional hospital to assume the additional role of Primary Casualty Receiving Ship. In 2009, the PCRS role became the ship's primary function. Argus is due to remain in service beyond 2030. In July 2022 it was reported that the future Littoral Strike Role would be assumed by Argus after a refit to convert her to this role.

USS <i>Iwo Jima</i> (LPH-2)

USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) was the lead ship of her class and type—the first amphibious assault ship to be designed and built from the keel up as a dedicated helicopter carrier. She carried helicopters and typically embarked USMC elements of a Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU)/later Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) principally the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) to conduct heliborne operations in support of an amphibious operation. There was no well deck to support landing craft movement of personnel or equipment to/from shore. Iwo Jima was the second of three ships of the United States Navy to be named for the Battle of Iwo Jima, although the first to be completed and see service.

USS <i>Tripoli</i> (LPH-10)

USS Tripoli (LPH-10), an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship, was laid down on 15 June 1964 at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation; launched on 31 July 1965; sponsored by Jane Cates, the wife of General Clifton B. Cates, former Commandant of the Marine Corps; and commissioned on 6 August 1966 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Tripoli was the second US Navy ship named for the Battle of Derna in 1805. It was the decisive victory of a mercenary army led by a detachment of US Marines and US Army soldiers against the forces of Tripoli during the First Barbary War. It was the first recorded land battle of the United States fought overseas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile Riverine Force</span> US naval force in Vietnam

In the Vietnam War, the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) (after May 1967), initially designated Mekong Delta Mobile Afloat Force, and later the Riverines, were a joint US Army and US Navy force that comprised a substantial part of the brown-water navy. It was modeled after lessons learned by the French experience in the First Indochina War of Dinassaut and had the task of both transport (of soldiers and equipment) and combat. The primary base was at Đồng Tâm Base Camp, with a floating base at the base of the Mekong River. It played a key role in the Tet Offensive.

USS <i>Sanctuary</i> (AH-17)

USS Sanctuary (AH-17) was a Haven-class hospital ship that served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and the Vietnam War.

Landing Ship, Tank (Hospital) (LSTH) was a conversion of a LST designed to act as a hospital ship, but because they retained armament were not officially designated as such. The Tank Landing Ship (LST) was a vessel designed to beach itself and unload equipment, vehicles, tanks, and troops onto an enemy beach. The general idea of a LSTH would be to bring troops to shore, but the convenience of a ship beached ashore proved to be an inviting harbor for the sick and injured, who could simply walk aboard.

USS <i>Askari</i>

USS Askari (ARL-30) was one of 39 Achelous-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Askari is an Arabic word for soldier, a term frequently applied to indigenous troops in Africa serving European colonial powers, particularly the British and Germans in East Africa from the late 19th century to the end of World War I; ARL-30 has been the only U.S. naval vessel to bear the name.

USS <i>Madera County</i> (LST-905) American tank landing ship

USS Madera County (LST-905) was a LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Madera County, California, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

USS <i>Vernon County</i> Tank landing ship in the US Navy

USS Vernon County (LST-1161) was a United States Navy, Terrebonne Parish-class tank landing ship in commission from 1953 to 1973. She saw extensive service in the Vietnam War before being transferred to the Venezuelan Navy, where she became Amazonas (T-21).

USS <i>Whitfield County</i> (LST-1169)

USS Whitfield County (LST-1169), previously USS LST-1169, was a United States Navy landing ship tank (LST) in commission from 1954 to 1973 which saw service in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific and saw action in the Vietnam War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Truong Cong Dinh</span> 1968 US and ARVN military offensive in the Mekong Delta, as part of the Vietnam War

Operation Truong Cong Dinh, was a United States and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) security operation to reestablish South Vietnamese control over the northern Mekong Delta in the aftermath of the Tet Offensive. The operation aimed to root out Viet Cong (VC) forces in the area, and to stop them from attacking traffic on the nearby Highway 4.

Operation Coronado II was the second of eleven in the Operation Coronado series conducted by the U.S. Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) in conjunction with various units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in late July 1967 in an attempt to shut down Viet Cong (VC) strongholds in the Mekong Delta. Three battalions of American troops, along with two ARVN battalions, backed by helicopters and watercraft swept the area and waterways surrounding Mỹ Tho in search of VC forces. Two VC battalions were encountered and many captured, although both sides suffered numerous casualties. The Allied forces also cordoned off the area to search water traffic for VC supplies or suspects. The Americans credited the South Vietnamese 3rd Marine Battalion for the success of the operation.

Operation Coronado IV was the fourth of the Operation Coronado series of riverine military operations conducted by the U.S. Mobile Riverine Force (MRF), designed to shut down Viet Cong (VC) strongholds in the Mekong Delta. It ran from 19 August to 9 September 1967. It took place in Long An, Gò Công and Kiến Hòa Provinces.

Operation Coronado V was a riverine military operation conducted by the U.S. Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) and elements of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam from 12 September to 5 October 1967 in an attempt to shut down Viet Cong (VC) strongholds in the Mekong Delta. The first part of the operation took place in Định Tường Province. After receiving intelligence that the VC 263rd Main Force battalion had been seen in the region, three Allied battalions were brought in on 12 September by helicopters and boats. Immediately there was heavy contact, and although the Allies reported killing 134, the majority of the VC escaped. Sweeps of the area resulted in another major confrontation with the VC on 15 September. During the four-day period, U.S. and ARVN reported 213 VC killed. The Allied forces then moved into adjoining Kiến Hòa Province. From 5–7 October another encounter with the VC 263rd Battalion resulted and the Allies reported 163 VC killed while losing seven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Coronado IX</span>

Operation Coronado IX was a riverine military operation conducted by the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) of the United States and elements of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) from November 1967 to January 1968 in an attempt to destroy Viet Cong (VC) strongholds in the Mekong Delta. In the middle of November, clashes resulted in the capture of VC supplies and hideouts. During this period, the VC lost 178 men but killed only 26. For the next few weeks there was little contact, although some abandoned VC bunkers were destroyed and supplies captured. On 4 December, a large engagement occurred when a VC battalion encountered the South Vietnamese 5th Marine Battalion. 266 VC were killed, mostly by the Marines. The Marines lost 40 killed, while the Americans suffered 9 dead. Over the next month and the Christmas period, there was only sporadic skirmishes, but at the start of the new year, there were some medium size battles in which the Americans killed a few dozen VC. After this there was little contact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Coronado XI</span>

Operation Coronado XI was the eleventh of the Operation Coronado series of riverine military operations conducted by the U.S. Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) and units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), designed to secure Cần Thơ in the aftermath of the Tet Offensive. It ran from 12 February to 3 March 1968.

Operation Coronado X was the tenth of the Operation Coronado series of riverine military operations conducted by the U.S. Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) and units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), originally planned as a sweep of western Dinh Tuong Province and eastern Kien Phong Province, however with the outbreak of the Tet Offensive on 31 January 1968 it instead became the MRF reaction to eject Vietcong (VC) forces from Mỹ Tho and Vĩnh Long. It ran from 23 January to 12 February 1968 and resulted in 269 VC killed for the loss of 12 U.S. killed.

References

  1. OPNAV NOTICE 1650 9 MAR 2001 MASTER LIST OF UNIT AWARDS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS