- USS Washtenaw (AK-218)
USS "Washtenaw" (AK-218) was an "Alamosa"-class
cargo ship that was constructed for theU.S. Navy during the closing period ofWorld 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 theMilitary 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) on9 March 1945 by the Leathern D. Smith Shipbuilding Co.,Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin ; launched on13 May 1945 ; sponsored by Mrs. L. R. Sanford; and delivered to theWar Shipping Administration on16 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 on23 June 1948 ; renamed "Sgt. George Peterson". and operated by theArmy 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 theGulf of Mexico , in theCaribbean , and along the southeastern seaboard of theUnited States for the Military Sea Transportation Service. During that period, she interrupted her regular service only once -- to carry supplies north toarctic stations in the summer of1955 .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 toMobile, Alabama , where, on the 27th, she was transferred to theU.S. Maritime Administration and berthed with theNational Defense Reserve Fleet . She remained in reserve at Mobile until sold for non-transportation use in December1971 .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)]
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