- USS Rockaway (AVP-29)
USS "Rockaway" (AVP-29/AG-123) was a "Barnegat"-class
seaplane tender acquired by theU.S. Navy duringWorld War II . She served in both theAtlantic Ocean and thePacific Ocean and, at war’s end, she was loaned to theU.S. Coast Guard where she was known as USCGC "Rockaway" (WAGO-377), USCGC "Rockaway" (WHEC-377) and later as USCGC "Rockaway" (WOLE-377).Built in Seattle, Washington
"Rockaway" (AVP-29) was laid down 30 June 1941 by Associated Ship Building, Inc.,
Seattle, Washington ; launched 14 February 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Z. E. Briggs; and commissioned 6 January 1943, Comdr. H. C. Doan in command.World War II service
Following shakedown, the seaplane tender "Rockaway" became a unit of the
U.S. Atlantic Fleet , with home base atNorfolk, Virginia , in April 1943. The next 18 months were busy and eventful ones, during which she delivered essential supplies and personnel to outlying bases in the NorthAtlantic Ocean .She transferred a complete squadron from
Newfoundland toEngland , carried aviation cargo fromNorfolk, Virginia , to the Ranger (CV-4) atScapa Flow , delivered secret radar equipment to England to be used in theNormandy invasion , performed guard duty atCasablanca for 2 months, and transported aircraft engines to theAzores . She completed nine round trips, steaming independently, across the Atlantic during this interval. On several occasions, she madesubmarine contacts and droppeddepth charges with undetermined results.Invasion of France
During the invasion of
France in June 1944, "Rockaway" performed sundry duties for 20 days - patrol and convoy work in theEnglish Channel ,flagship duty for Adm. J. Wilkes, USN, transportation of Army and Navy personnel and protection of Allied beachheads against enemy air attacks. After a navy yard period in November, "Rockaway" was based in thePanama Canal Zone , completing two trips to theGalapagos Islands with aviation supplies and personnel. In December she rescued 13 survivors from a PBM which had crashed offCoco Solo . On 21 February 1945, "Rockaway", while steaming toRecife, Brazil , located and guarded a disabled tanker for 3 days until a fleet tug arrived on the scene. Duties during the following 5 months, spent inBrazil , entailed supplying the various naval bases fromBelem toBahia with essential men and equipment.End-of-war activity
In the summer of 1945, "Rockaway" was being fitted out by the
Boston Navy Yard as a press ship (reclassified AG-123, effective 30 July 1945) designed to carry 50 correspondents during future invasions; but, after Japan surrendered, she was reconverted to a seaplane tender and sailed fromBoston, Massachusetts , 26 October.Inactivation and transfer to the Coast Guard
"Rockaway" reported to the Inactive Fleet at
Orange, Texas , on 12 November 1945. Decommissioned there 21 March 1946, "Rockaway" berthed with the Reserve Fleet atOrange, Texas , until transferred, on loan to theU.S. Coast Guard 24 December 1948. While operating with the Coast Guard, "Rockaway" performed a variety of tasks, earning her a variety of Coast Guard designations: "WAGO-377", "WHEC-377", and "WOLE-377".She remained in that status until struck from the
Navy list and transferred, permanently, to the Coast Guard in September 1966."Rockaway" was scrapped, 21 October 1972.
Honors and awards
Rockaway earned one
battle star forWorld War II service.See also
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United States Navy
*World War II References
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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/43/4329.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AVP-29 / AG-123 Rockaway - WAGO / WHEC / WOLE-377 Rockaway]
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