USS Deal (AG-131)

USS "Deal" (AG-131/AKL-2) was a "Camano"-class cargo ship constructed for the U.S. Army as USAT "FS-263" shortly before the end of World War II and later acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1947. She was configured as a transport and cargo ship and operated with the U.S. Pacific Fleet from post-World War II and on through the end of the Korean War.

Built on Long Island, New York

"Deal" (AG-131) was built in 1944 for the U.S. Army as USAT "FS-26S" by Wheeler Shipbuilding Corp., Whitestone, Long Island, New York; acquired by the Navy 2 March 1947; and commissioned at Guam 3 August 1947, Lieutenant (junior grade) P. G. Pattern in command. She was reclassified "AKL-2", 31 March 1949.

Pacific Fleet support

Based at Guam, "Deal" carried cargo to the small islands in the Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, and the Caroline Islands until arriving at Pearl Harbor 11 August 1949. She conducted cargo operations from this base to the outlying islands of the Hawaiian chain, Palmyra Atoll, and Canton Island until 16 May 1950. She sailed to Kwajalein for a brief period, returning to Pearl Harbor 3 July.

Korean War service

With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, "Deal" got underway from Pearl Harbor 14 September 1950 for Sasebo, Japan, arriving 8 November. She operated as a part of the U.S. 7th Fleet under the control of Commander, Service Squadron 3, in logistics support of the United Nations forces in Korea, and visited other ports in Japan, Formosa, the Pescadores, Okinawa, and the Philippines until 28 February 1955 when she departed Yokosuka for the United States.

Inactivation

After a short visit to Long Beach, California, she arrived at Astoria Bay 13 April to start inactivation. She was placed out of commission in reserve at Portland, Oregon, 8 September 1955 and sold 18 December 1961.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/49/49131.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - FS-263 - AG-131 / AKL-2 Deal]