USS Corkwood (AN-44)

USS "Corkwood" (AN-44/YN-63) was an "Ailanthus"-class net laying ship which served with the U.S. Navy in the western Pacific Ocean theatre of operations during World War II. Her career was without major incident, and she returned home safely after the war with one battle star to her credit.

Built in Everett, Washington

"Corkwood" (AN-44) was launched as "YN-63", 29 March 1944 by Everett-Pacific Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Everett, Washington; sponsored by Miss D. Anerson; reclassified "AN-44" and named "Corkwood" 20 January 1944; and commissioned 16 May 1944, Lieutenant J. L. Driggs, USNR, in command.

World War I service

Sailing from Seattle, Washington, 27 August 1944 with district harbor tug (small) "YTL-422" in tow, "Corkwood" arrived at Pearl Harbor 6 September for duty towing target rafts and for replacing buoys and radar rafts until 16 October. From 27 October until 6 March 1945 "Corkwood" conducted net operations and laid cruiser moorings at Eniwetok.

Sailing by way of Ulithi to Leyte, she joined Amphibious Group 7 and sortied with an "LST" flotilla for the Okinawa operation. She served as harbor entrance control ship at Kerama Retto between 26 March and 6 July. She also conducted salvage and net maintenance operations, frequently under enemy attack. Arriving at San Pedro Bay, Leyte, 12 July 1945, "Corkwood" underwent repairs, then sailed to Ulithi, arriving 17 August. She tended nets at this port until 16 October when she departed for the U.S. West Coast.

Post-war decommissioning

She arrived at San Diego, California, 29 November and remained there until decommissioned 7 March 1946. She was transferred to the War Shipping Administration for disposal 13 March 1946.

Honors and awards

"Corkwood" received one battle star for World II service.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/18/18044.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YN-63 / AN-44 Corkwood]