usschiwawa

International Radio Call Sign: November (Nan) - Yankee (Yoke) - Juliet (Jig) - Lima (Love)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to rightTop Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1)Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

Chiwawa Class Fleet Oiler:

Laid down, as Samoset, a Maritime Commission type (T3-S-A1) tanker hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 516) at Bethlehem Steel Shipbuilding, Sparrows Point, MD.

Launched, 25 June 1942

Delivered to the Maritime Commission, acquired by the US Navy and commissioned USS Chiwawa (AO-68), 24 December 1942, CDR H. Fultz in command.

Decommissioned, 6 May 1946

Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)

Transferred to the Maritime Commission, 23 August 1946, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet

Sold by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) in 1961, rebuilt as a straight decked bulk freighter for Great Lakes service, at American Shipbuilding, Lorain, OH., renamed Walter A. Sterling.

Launched, 15 July 1961 Launched, 15 July 1961

Sold in 1985, to Ford Motor Company, renamed William Clay Ford (II)

Sold in 1989, to Lakes Shipping Co., renamed Lee A. Tregurtha, still in service on the Great Lakes

Chiwawa received two battle stars for World War II service

Chiwawa Class Fleet Oiler:

Displacement: 21,077 tons

Length: 502'

Beam: 68'

Draft: 31'

Speed: 17 knots (max); 13 knots (econ)

Armament: 1 5"/38 DP, 4 3"/50 DP, 4x2 40mm, 4x2 20mm

Complement:

Capacity: 134,000 barrels

Geared turbine engines, single screw, 12,000 hp

Maritime Commission T3-S-A1 type

Built at Bethlehem, Sparrows Pt. and commissioned 24 Dec 1942

ex-SS Samoset