- USS Lassen (AE-3)
USS "Lassen" (AE-3) ex-"Shooting Star", was launched by the
Tampa Shipbuilding Co. ,Tampa, Florida , under a Maritime Commission contract10 January 1940 ; sponsored by Mrs. Fred C. Cone; acquired by the Navy15 November 1940 ; commissioned 4 days later for transfer to Mobile, Alabama, for conversion, Lt Comdr. A. B. Kerr in command; and commissioned in full27 March 1941 , Comdr.Russell S. Berkey in command. She was named afterLassen Peak , a volcano in theCascade Range in northernCalifornia , USA, located withinLassen Volcanic National Park .In the months prior to the war, this ammunition ship had made deliveries along both the
Atlantic andPacific coasts and in July sailed toPearl Harbor . On22 November she departed Norfolk forSan Francisco , her homeport.After round-trip voyages to the
Samoan Islands ,Fiji Islands , and Pearl Harbor, "Lassen" began duty as an advanced base supply ship. Departing San Francisco26 August 1942 , "Lassen" replenished ships out ofDumbea Bay ,New Caledonia , from19 September to17 January 1943 . She returned to San Francisco23 January for repairs, the installation of radar and a change in armament.By
18 May she had reachedEspiritu Santo ,New Hebrides , to resume dispensing the sinews of war to the fleet in the South Pacific. She also serviced ships fromEfate , New Hebrides, andNoumea , New Caledonia, before returning home24 November . Again a period in drydock was but a prelude to a more extensive stay in the war zone supporting the combat ships which were driving Japan toward surrender.As part of Vice Adm. W. L. Calhoun’s 7th Force, Pacific Fleet, "Lassen" arrived
Majuro Atoll ,Marshall Islands 2 February 1944 . She replenished ships in the Marshall Islands, and atManus Island ,Admiralty Islands . As part of “the train” atKossol Passage ,Palau Islands ,25 September to2 October and atUlithi Atoll from4 October to18 November , she earned her first battle star. During the latter period "Lassen" rode out a severe typhoon and also fought off her first enemy air attack.Upon returning to the western Carolines
23 February 1945 , "Lassen", along with her sister AEs, worked out techniques for transferring large quantities of ammunition while underway. She exhibited her new skill and mobility by accompanying TG 50.8 in raids during13 March to14 June supporting theOkinawa campaign. Her third battle star was earned while accompanying TG 30.8 during8 July to6 August off the coast of Japan.V-J Day found "Lassen" operating out of San Pedro Bay, Leyte. On
25 October she departed for the United States viaEniwetok , where she embarked 112 passengers.There was little need during the period of hasty demobilization which followed
World War II for this ship which had plied its hazardous duties so efficiently. Berthed first atPort Discovery, Washington , from20 November to2 March 1946 , she proceeded down the coast by stages and arrivedSan Diego 27 March . "Lassen" decommissioned15 January 1947 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet, remaining a unit of that fleet until struck from the Navy list1 July 1961 ."Lassen" received three
battle star s forWorld War II service.References
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l4/lassen.htm
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