- USS Hesperia (AKS-13)
USS Hesperia (AKS-13) was an "Acubens"-class
general stores issue ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service inWorld War II . She was responsible for delivering and disbursing goods and equipment to locations in the war zone."Hesperia" (AKS-13), originally "SS Sam Dale", was launched under Maritime Commission contract by
Delta Shipbuilding Co.,New Orleans, Louisiana ,18 November 1944 ; sponsored by Mrs. Marie Owen; converted to Navy use byNorfolk Naval Shipyard and commissioned1 April 1945 , Lt. Comdr. William G. Dutton in command.World War II service
Following a period of training and shakedown, "Hesperia" loaded her cargo of general stores for the fleet and sailed
16 May 1945 . Transiting thePanama Canal , she arrivedPearl Harbor 13 June 1945 . The stores ship then proceeded to the western Pacific for the important job of supplying operating units with some of the thousands of items—from clothing to spare parts—necessary to a modern fighting ship.She arrived
Ulithi 6 July and after issuing stores to the ships present sailed with a convoy for Okinawa, site of the Pacific's largest amphibious assault just 3 months earlier. "Hesperia" anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa,21 July and began issuing supplies of all kinds to the fleet and shore installations. She continued to function as a mobile supply base, interrupted only by occasional enemy air attacks, until after hostilities ended in mid-August. Having issued her entire stock the ship departed Okinawa26 August for Manus. She arrived7 September , loaded another full stock of replacement items, and sailed22 September .Surviving a dangerous typhoon
"Hesperia" encountered the great typhoon which had devastated Okinawa during her voyage to
Korea , but after altering course temporarily continued to Jinsen, arriving17 October . During the next month she serviced nearly 100 ships and small craft engaged in the Korean and Chinese occupations, operating from Jinsen, and laterTaku ,China . After this vital support duty, allowing the ships to remain on station for longer periods of time, she returned toGuam for a fresh issue29 November 1945 . Loading completed, she sailed20 December to Yokosuka,Japan , and after her arrival 6 days later issued stores to over 500 ships and small craft and the shore activities connected with the occupation of Japan.Post-war activity
Her job in Japan temporarily completed, "Hesperia" got underway
2 March 1946 for theUnited States , and arrivedSan Francisco, California ,30 March . During the next months she made two more voyages to supply the fleet, one to Pearl Harbor, the other to Pearl Harbor andKwajalein .Decommissioning
Returning to San Francisco
23 December 1946 , she decommissioned27 February 1947 , was delivered to the Maritime Commission, and joined theNational Defense Reserve Fleet . She was berthed at present at Suisun Bay, California. Final Disposition: she was scrapped in 1973.Military awards and honors
"Hesperia’s" crew was eligible for the following medals:
*China Service Medal (extended)
*American Campaign Medal
*Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
*Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)References
See also
*
List of United States Navy ships
*World War II External links
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/16/1613.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AKS-13 Hesperia]
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