USS Lackawanna (AO-40) in San Francisco Bay after returning from the Western Pacific in October 1945. | |
History | |
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United States | |
Name | USS Lackawanna |
Namesake | Lackawanna River in Pennsylvania |
Builder | Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard |
Laid down | 27 December 1941 |
Launched | 16 May 1942 |
Acquired | 20 June 1942 |
Commissioned | 10 July 1942 |
Decommissioned | 14 February 1946 |
Honors and awards | 8 battle stars (World War II) |
Fate |
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General characteristics | |
Class and type | Kennebec class oiler |
Type | MARAD T2 |
Tonnage | 15,910 DWT |
Displacement | 21,077 tons |
Length | 501 ft 8 in (152.91 m) |
Beam | 68 ft (21 m) |
Draft | 29 ft 8.5 in (9.055 m) |
Depth | 37 ft (11 m) |
Installed power | 12,000 shp (8,900 kW) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h) |
Range | 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) |
Capacity | 130,000 bbl (~18,000 t) |
Complement | 214–247 |
Armament |
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USS Lackawanna (AO-40) was a Kennebec-class type T2 fleet oiler of the United States Navy. The ship was laid down 27 December 1941, as SS Conastoga (hull number 4359), by the Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Shipyard Inc., Sparrows Point, Maryland, under Maritime Commission contract number 147. Launched on 16 May 1942, sponsored by Mrs. S. J. Dickey, acquired by the Navy on 20 June 1942, and commissioned on 10 July 1942 at Baltimore, Lt. Comdr. S. R. Sands, Jr., USCG, in command.
After shakedown Lackawanna departed Norfolk, Virginia, on 15 August 1942 bound for fueling operations in the Pacific. Arriving at New Caledonia on 18 September, the oiler replenished ships out of Nouméa for the next three months. Following overhaul at San Pedro, California, Lackawanna resumed operations as a unit of ServRon 8 in the Central Pacific on 16 February 1943.
The oiler replenished fighting ships for eight months prior to sailing in support of the Gilbert Islands invasion during November. The allied objective of this campaign was to neutralize the threat of Japanese air and seaplane bases on the islands.
Lackawanna's next mission was to refuel units engaged in the invasion of Kwajalein and Majuro. Departing Espiritu Santo on 20 January 1944, she continued support missions in the Marshalls through March. Turning her attention to the removal of other barriers "on the road to Japan," Lackawanna refueled the carrier task forces as they unleashed their devastating raids on Palau, Yap, and Truk during April and May.
As expanding operations established the need for additional staging areas, the fleet prepared for the invasion of the Marianas. On 15 June amphibious assault forces landed on Saipan, and once again the lifeline of the fleet was on hand to refuel the thirsty ships. When Saipan, Tinian, and Guam fell into American control, the stage was set for the return to the Philippines.
The need for advance bases necessitated the invasion of the Palaus, and Lackawanna supported the 3rd Fleet in this operation. With preliminaries complete, the oiler departed Seeadler Harbor in mid-October bound for a refueling area off the Philippines. Providing replenishment services for almost two months, she played a vital role in the successful Philippine campaign.
Lackawanna took departure from Ulithi on 10 December for a brief repair period at San Pedro, California. Returning to the war zone on 6 March, she arrived in time to participate in the largest operation of the Pacific war — Okinawa. Departing Ulithi on 13 March, Lackawanna supported units of the fleet as they made their way to Japan's last stronghold. She continued operations off Okinawa until the island was secure in late June.
With Japan itself the only remaining target, Lackawanna sailed on 3 July to refuel the 3rd Fleet units engaged in raids on the enemy homeland. Following the cessation of hostilities on 14 August, the oiler continued operations in the Far East until she departed Tokyo Bay on 12 October. Arriving at San Francisco two weeks later, Lackawanna remained on the west coast until she decommissioned at Oakland on 14 February 1946.
Lackawanna was returned to the Maritime Commission on 1 July 1946. Subsequently sold to the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (later renamed Mobil Oil) in 1947, she was renamed SS Tatarrax, then Thomas A. (1962), and Padre Island (1965). The ship was scrapped in Vinaròs, Spain, in January 1967.
USS Pecos (AO–65) was laid down 20 April 1942 by the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. as a type T3-SE-A1 tanker, Chester, Pennsylvania, as Corsicana ; launched 17 August acquired by the Navy 29 August 1942; and commissioned 5 October 1942.
USS Guadalupe (AO-32), a Cimarron-class fleet replenishment oiler that served in the United States Navy, it was named for the Guadalupe River in Texas.
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USS Nantahala (AO–60), the second ship of this name, was laid down under Maritime Commission contract by Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard, Inc., Sparrows Point, Maryland, on 31 October 1943. Launched on 29 April 1944; sponsored by Miss Mary Louise Reed; delivered to the Navy 19 June 1944; and commissioned the same day.
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USS Kankakee (AO-39) was a Kennebec-class fleet oiler of the United States Navy. The ship was built as SS Colina by Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrows Point, Maryland, launched on 24 January 1942, sponsored by Mrs. D. A. Little, acquired for the Navy on 31 March through the Maritime Commission from her owner, Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, New York City, and commissioned as Kankakee at Norfolk, Virginia, on 4 May.
The second USS Monongahela (AO-42) was a Kennebec-class oiler in the United States Navy which saw service during World War II and the Korean War. She was the second U.S. Navy ship named for the Monongahela River in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
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USS Millicoma (AO-73) was a United States Navy fleet oiler which served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, winning eight battle stars for her dangerous work. Post-war she was recommissioned and was placed under the control of the MSTS with a civilian crew until finally assigned for disposal in 1987.
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USS Kyne (DE-744) was a Cannon-class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Pacific Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. She earned six battle stars during the war.
USS Niobrara (AO-72) was a T3 Kennebec-class oiler constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the only U.S. Navy ship named for the Niobrara River in Nebraska.
USS Chikaskia (AO-54) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served her country primarily in the Pacific Ocean Theatre of Operations, and provided petroleum products where needed to combat ships. For her very dangerous work under combat conditions, she was awarded six battle stars for World War II and one for the Korean War.
USS Marias (AO-57) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served her country primarily in the Pacific Ocean Theatre of Operations, and provided petroleum products where needed to combat ships. For performing this dangerous task, she was awarded eight battle stars during World War II, and one campaign star during the Vietnam War for her bravery in combat areas.
USS Cahaba (AO-82) was an Escambia-class replenishment oiler acquired by the United States Navy for use during World War II. She had the dangerous but necessary task of providing fuel to vessels in combat and non-combat areas primarily in the Pacific Ocean. For her brave efforts, she received eight battle stars during the war.
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