USS Glacier (AK-183)

USS "Glacier" (AK-183) was an "Alamosa"-class cargo ship acquired by the U.S. Navy during the final months of World War II. She served the Pacific Ocean theatre of operations for a short period of time before being decommissioned and returned to the U.S. Maritime Administration for dispositioning.

Built in Superior, Wisconsin

The third ship to be so named by the Navy, "Glacier" (AK-183) was launched 22 April 1944 under a Maritime Commission contract by Walter Butler Shipbuilding, Inc., Superior, Wisconsin; sponsored by Miss Agnes Kennedy; acquired 29 March 1945 and commissioned 14 April 1945, Lt. C. L. Hitchcock, USNR, in command.

World War II-related service

Following shakedown off Galveston, Texas, "Glacier" loaded lumber and metal drums at New Orleans, Louisiana, and sailed 18 May 1945 for Pearl Harbor, where she put in 12 June to off-load her cargo.

Underway 29 June with building supplies for Kwajalein, she returned via Eniwetok to San Francisco, California, 5 August. Subsequently, a 5-month voyage out of San Francisco brought general cargo to Pearl Harbor, Tarawa, Majuro, Eniwetok, Guam, and Saipan before "Glacier" moored at Norfolk, Virginia, 1 February 1946, her missions accomplished.

Post-war decommissioning

Decommissioned there 19 February 1946, she was returned to the Maritime Commission 3 days later and stricken from the Navy List 12 March 1946.

Honors and awards

Qualified "Glacier" personnel were eligible for the following:
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal

ee also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/130183.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AK-183 Glacier]