- USS Cor Caroli (AK-91)
USS Cor Caroli (AK-91) was an "Crater"-class
cargo ship commissioned by theU.S. Navy for service inWorld War II . She was responsible for delivering goods and equipment to locations in the war zone."Cor Caroli" (AK-91) was launched
19 March 1943 as "SS Betsy Ross" byPermanente Metals Corp., Yard No. 2,Richmond, California , under aMaritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. F. Modglin; acquired by the Navy31 March 1943 ; commissioned16 April 1943 , Lieutenant Commander J. A. Lewis,USCGR , in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.World War II Pacific Theatre operations
After coastwise cargo operations, "Cor Caroli" cleared
San Diego, California ,14 June 1943 forAuckland, New Zealand , arriving18 July . Until23 January 1944 , she operated between Auckland andNoumea ,Espiritu Santo ,Guadalcanal ,Suva ,Efate , andTulagi , supporting the SouthPacific Ocean operations. She sailed from Auckland8 January 1944 for Noumea, where she loaded additional cargo, andLunga Point , arriving28 January .Shooting down a Japanese plane
She proceeded to Bougainville, where she joined in the invasion from 8 to
17 February , splashing a Japanese plane when air resistance developed. She returned to Bougainville with additional cargo from 6 to11 March , and next operated offEmirau from 9 to16 April in landings there. "Cor Caroli" continued to operate in theSolomons until12 June , when she sailed forEniwetok . After standing by in reserve during the invasion of Eniwetok, she sailed on with her cargo toGuam , where she participated in the assault from27 July to15 August .Supporting Philippine invasion operations
"Cor Caroli" returned to the Southwest Pacific early in September
1944 , and carried cargo among the bases there until13 January 1945 , when she arrived at Auckland to load new cargo, which she carried toEniwetok andGuam . Returning toNew Zealand for brief repairs, she sailed on toPearl Harbor , arriving8 June to load cargo for thePhilippines . She ferried among Philippine ports between13 July and4 August , when she sailed forGuadalcanal ,Espiritu Santo ,Pearl Harbor , andSan Pedro, California .Post-war decommissioning
After overhaul, she continued to
Norfolk, Virginia , arriving17 November . Here she was decommissioned30 November 1945 and returned to theWar Shipping Administration 2 December 1945 .Military awards and honors
"Cor Caroli" received one
battle star forWorld War II service. It was for theMarianas operation (capture and occupation of Guam,27 July to15 August 1944 ). Her crew was eligible for the following medals:
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
* World War II Victory Medal
* Philippines Liberation MedalReferences
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External links
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