USS Richland (YFD-64)

USS "Richland" (YFD-64/AFDM-8) was a "AFDM-3"-class medium auxiliary floating drydock built in California for the U.S. Navy. Originally named USS "YFD-64", she was towed to the Philippine Islands and Guam where she served until war’s end.

In 1946 she was placed back into service to support submarine maintenance at Guam for the next forty years.

Constructed in Eureka, California

The second ship to be so named by the Navy, "Richland" (AFDM-8) was built by the Chicago Building & Iron Co., Eureka, California, and commissioned as "YFD-64" on 28 November 1944.

World War II service

Drydock "YFD-64" remained on the west coast until 15 December 1944 when she was towed to Pearl Harbor. On 25 January 1945 she was towed into Eniwetok and then on to Ulithi. She was next towed to San Pedro Bay where she worked until November when she was towed to Guam. She decommissioned there on 8 June 1946.

Post-war reactivation and service

"YFD-64" was redesignated "AFDM-8" on 1 August 1946, placed in service at Guam on 1 January 1947. The floating drydock supported Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine maintenance at Guam for over forty years. She was named "Richland" on 6 April 1968.

Dispositioning at end of service

The drydock was struck from the Navy list on 22 August 1997 and transferred to the local redevelopment authority in Guam on 6 April 1999.

Honors and awards

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

ee also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/28/2808.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YFD-64 / AFDM-8 Richland]