USS Interpreter (AGR-14)

USS "Interpreter" (AGR-14) was a "Guardian"-class radar picket ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1957 from the “mothballed” reserve fleet. She was reconfigured as a radar picket ship and assigned to radar picket duty in the North Pacific Ocean as part of the Distant Early Warning Line.

Liberty ship launched in Florida

"Interpreter" (AGR-14) was launched as Liberty Ship "SS Dudley H. Thomas" by J. A. Jones Construction Co., Inc., Panama City, Florida, 8 February 1945; sponsored by Miss Carrie Corbitt; and delivered 21 February 1945 to Merchants and Miners Transportation Co., Boston, Massachusetts.

World War II-related service

The ship served as an aircraft freighter during the war and later as a cargo ship for various companies. She was in the National Defense Reserve Fleet 1947-1951 and from 25 August 1953 until acquired by the Navy 5 June 1957.

Reconfigured as a radar picket

Renamed "Interpreter", the ship was converted to Navy use at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and commissioned there 29 September 1958, Comdr. J. S. Craft in command. One of a class of sixteen radar picket ships, "Interpreter" conducted shakedown exercises in the Caribbean before departing Guantanamo Bay 1 February 1959 for her new home port, San Francisco, California.

Equipped with the most advanced long range radar and communications gear, "Interpreter" jointed the Continental Air Defense Command as part of America's vital early warning system. Operating with search aircraft for periods of 3 to 4 weeks at sea, the ship reported and tracked aircraft at great distances and controlled interceptors in the event of enemy air attack. "Interpreter" continued regular patrols in the Contiguous Radar Barrier, for 6 years, providing a vital link in the air defense of her country.

Inactivation

Struck 1 July 1965, "Interpreter" was turned over to the Maritime Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, California, where she remained until sold for scrapping 4 November 1974.

Honors and awards

"Interpreter" personnel qualified for the following medals:
* National Defense Service Medal

See also

* United States Navy
* Radar picket

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/62/6214.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AGR-14 Interpreter]