USS Bisbee (PF-46)

The USS "Bisbee" (PF-46) was a "Tacoma" class patrol frigate manned by the United States Coast Guard, launched in 1943, that received two battle stars for World War II service and three for Korean War service.

"Bisbee" (PF-46) was launched on 7 September 1943 at the Consolidated Steel Corporation shipyard in Los Angeles, California, sponsored by Mrs. Richard Murphy; and commissioned on 15 February 1944, with Commander J. P. German, USCG, in command.

Assigned to the Pacific Fleet, the Coast Guard manned "Bisbee" joined the 7th Fleet at Noumea, New Caledonia, on 27 June 1944. She took part in the landings on Biak Island (12-31 August), and then patrolled off the New Guinea coast until October 1944. During the invasion of Leyte she served as a patrol and harbor control vessel until detached for escort duty on 22 November. "Bisbee" returned to Pearl Harbor on 15 December.

After undergoing repairs, "Bisbee" departed Pearl Harbor on 6 January 1945 for Dutch Harbor, Alaska, arriving there on the 13th. From January to July, she escorted merchant vessels and Army transports between Dutch Harbor, Adak, Amchitka, and Attu, and acted as guardship for Fleet Air Wing 4 in the North Pacific Ocean.

On 6 July 1945, "Bisbee", with Escort Division 43, departed Adak for Seattle, Washington, arriving there on 12 July. After undergoing repairs and conversion, the ship returned to Alaskan waters, arriving at Cold Bay, Alaska, on 13 August. On 26 August 1945, "Bisbee" was placed out of commission at Cold Bay and loaned to the USSR the next day, where she served under the designation EK-17.

Returned by the Russians on 1 November 1949, she lay at Yokosuka Navy Yard, Japan, until being recommissioned on 18 October 1950. "Bisbee" got underway for Korea on 23 November 1950, and served on patrol, escort, and bombardment duty until 20 October 1951, with occasional voyages to the Philippines, Hong Kong, and the Pescadores. After repairs at Yokosuka, she was transferred to Colombia on 13 February 1952 under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program, serving as the "Capitan Tono" until being scrapped in 1963.

"Bisbee" received two battle stars for her World War II service and three for Korean War service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b6/bisbee-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Bisbee"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/08046.htm navsource.org: USS "Bisbee" (PF-46)]
* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/PF46_Bisbee.html USS Bisbee, PF-46] , United States Coast Guard site.
* [http://www.bisbeemarquee.com/www/0416/001.php The Good Ship USS Bisbee] "Bisbee Marquee" page.