USS Washtenaw (AK-218)

USS "Washtenaw" (AK-218) was an "Alamosa"-class cargo ship that was constructed for the U.S. Navy during the closing period of World War II and found to be “excess to needs.”

She was later acquired by the U.S. Army, 23 June 1948, and renamed USAT "Sgt. George Peterson". And, 1 March 1950 she was reacquired by the Navy and placed in service by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as USNS "Sgt. George Peterson" (T-AK-248). She remained with the Navy until struck in 1977.

Built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

"Sgt. George Peterson", originally projected as "Washtenaw", but built as "Coastal Guide", was laid down under a U.S. Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2172) on 9 March 1945 by the Leathern D. Smith Shipbuilding Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; launched on 13 May 1945; sponsored by Mrs. L. R. Sanford; and delivered to the War Shipping Administration on 16 July 1945.

U.S. Army operation

Subsequently operated by the United Fruit Company and the Polaris SS Co., Inc., "Coastal Guide" was transferred to the U.S. Army on 23 June 1948; renamed "Sgt. George Peterson". and operated by the Army Transportation Service.

U.S. Navy operation

She was transferred to the Navy in July 1950 and placed in service as USNS "Sgt. George Peterson" (T-AK-248). The cargo ship then commenced eight years of operations in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean, and along the southeastern seaboard of the United States for the Military Sea Transportation Service. During that period, she interrupted her regular service only once -- to carry supplies north to arctic stations in the summer of 1955.

Final decommissioning

Early in 1959, the AK was ordered inactivated; and, in March, she was placed out of service at New Orleans, Louisiana. At mid-month, she was towed to Mobile, Alabama, where, on the 27th, she was transferred to the U.S. Maritime Administration and berthed with the National Defense Reserve Fleet. She remained in reserve at Mobile until sold for non-transportation use in December 1971.

Honors and awards

Qualified personnel were eligible for the following::* National Defense Service Medal

ee also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/130248.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - USNS Sgt. George Peterson (T-AK-248) – ex - USAT George Peterson (1948 - 1950)]