USS Spicewood (AN-53)

USS "Spicewood" (AN-53/YN-72) was an "Ailanthus"-class net laying ship which served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific Ocean theatre of operations during World War II. Her career was without major incident, and she returned home after the war bearing one battle star to her credit.

Launched at Stockton, California

"Spicewood" was laid down as "YN-72" on 25 May 1943 at Stockton, California, by the Pollock-Stockton Shipbuilding Company; redesignated "AN-53" on 20 January 1944; launched on 6 December 1943; and commissioned on 7 April 1944, Lt. Comdr. Max A. Morrison, USNR, in command.

World War II service

The net layer completed shakedown training and post-shakedown availability by 19 June and towed fuel barge "YO-92" from San Pedro, California, to Hawaii, arriving at Pearl Harbor on the 29th. There she was assigned to the 14th Naval District and relieved the "Coast Guard tug Balsam" (WAGL-62) at the Phoenix Islands, located east of the Gilbert and Ellice groups. "Spicewood" remained in that group of small atolls until late in the year.

She returned to Pearl Harbor on 4 December. On 14 February 1945, she sailed for Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Leyte. By mid-April, she was at Okinawa as an element of Task Force 51. There she operated with Task Group 52.8, the Net and Buoy Group, at Kerama Retto.

End-of-war activity

Hostilities ceased in the western Pacific Ocean on 15 August, but "Spicewood" remained at Okinawa until late October. She headed for Pearl Harbor on the 29th and reached her destination on 17 November. After a week at Oahu, she continued east and made San Diego, California, on 4 December.

Post-war decommissioning

She sailed from there to San Pedro, California, between 6 and 7 December and was decommissioned on 20 February 1946. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 12 March 1946, and her hulk was sold on 18 April 1947 to the Van Camp Seafood Company, Terminal Island, California.

Honors and awards

"Spicewood" (AN-53) earned one battle star during World War II.

See also

* U.S. Navy
* World War II

References

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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/18/18053.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YN-72 / AN-53 Spicewood]