- USS Papaya (AN-49)
USS "Papaya" (AN-49/YN-68) was an "Ailanthus"-class
net laying ship which served with theU.S. Navy in the SouthPacific Ocean theatre of operations duringWorld War II . Her career was without major incident, and she returned home after the war bearing twobattle star s to her credit.Launched in Stockton, California
"Papaya" (YN–68) was laid down by the Pollock-Stockton Shipbuilding Company,
Stockton, California ,2 November 1942 ; launched23 May 1943 ; sponsored by Mrs. L. L. Lindley; commissioned1 December 1943 , Lt. Comdr. Elias Johnson in command. She was reclassified "AN–49" on20 January 1944 .World War II service
Pacific Ocean operations
Following shakedown, "Papaya" joined
ServRon 10 for duty in thePacific Ocean and proceeded viaPearl Harbor to theMarshall Islands where she arrived8 March 1944 . After laying moorings and channelbuoy s and installing anti-torpedo net s in the Marshalls group, she departed for theMariana Islands , arrivingSaipan 1 August . She assisted in net operations while fighting on the beach was still in process, helping capture both Saipan andTinian .End-of-war operations
After returning to
Long Beach, California ,18 December for overhaul and alterations, she deployed to the Western Pacific again22 May 1945 , this time toUlithi ,Caroline Islands , for important net operations.Following the
surrender of Japan , "Papaya" actively participated in the surrender and occupation ofYap and undertook several search missions to islands and atolls east of Ulithi capturing 26 Japanese soldiers. She departed17 October for theUnited States via Saipan and Pearl Harbor and arrivedSan Diego, California ,26 November .Post-war decommissioning
Surplus to the Navy’s needs after World War II, "Papaya" decommissioned at
Terminal Island, California ,31 January 1946 and was stricken from theNaval Register 25 February .Honors and awards
"Papaya" received two
battle star s for service in World War II.See also
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United States Navy
*World War II References
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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/18/18049.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YN-68 / AN-49 Papaya]
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