USS Hutchinson (PF-45)

USS "Hutchinson" (PF-45), a "Tacoma"-class frigate, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Hutchinson, Kansas.

"Hutchinson" (PF-45), originally designated PG-153, was launched on 27 August 1943 at the Consolidated Steel Corporation shipyard in Los Angeles, California, under Maritime Commission contract, sponsored by Mrs. A. T. Cole; and commissioned on 3 February 1944, with Commander C. H. Stober, USCG commanding.

The frigate engaged in shakedown training until 13 April 1944, and departed San Pedro, California, on 30 April for the southwest Pacific. She arrived via Pearl Harbor at one of the most important bodies of water in the Pacific area at that time, Leyte Gulf, on 10 November. There "Hutchinson" took up escort and patrol duties among the many transports supporting the landing. During her stay off Leyte the ship engaged in several battles with attacking Japanese aircraft. "Hutchinson" sailed for Fremantle, Western Australia, via New Guinea, on 30 November 1944.

Assigned to the submarine base, Fremantle, for training duty with submarines, "Hutchinson" remained in Australia until 27 August 1945. Departing for the United States, she touched at Manus and Pearl before arriving at Terminal Island, California, on 10 January 1946. Here she converted to a weather ship. Following conversion, she proceeded to Seattle, Washington, and got underway on 6 February 1946 for weather station A in the northern Pacific. After performing the demanding and essential task of weather picket for two separate periods, "Hutchinson" sailed to San Francisco, California, and decommissioned there on 15 April 1946. She was then recommissioned a Coast Guard vessel on loan from the Navy, and sailed westward to take up her weather ship duties once more. After two more such cruises, "Hutchinson" arrived Seattle in early September and decommissioned on 23 September 1946.

"Hutchinson" was stricken from the Navy List on 29 October 1946, and was sold to Mexico 24 November 1947. She served the Mexican Navy as "California" until she was scrapped in June 1964.

"Hutchinson" received two battle stars for World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h9/hutchinson.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Hutchinson"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/08045.htm navsource.org: USS "Hutchinson"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/patrol/pf45.htm hazegray.org: USS "Hutchinson"]