- USS Bannock (ATF-81)
USS "Bannock" (AT-81/ATF-81) was an ocean-going tug launched
7 January 1943 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co.,Charleston, SC , sponsored by Mrs. Katherine Carswell, widow of Chief Petty Officer Carswell. She was commissioned28 June 1943 , Lieutenant S. P. Morgan in command; and reported to the Atlantic Fleet. The ship was named for the Bannock Indian tribe in southernIdaho .Until April 1944 "Bannock" engaged in towing along the East Coast and in the
Caribbean . On19 April 1944 she arrived inEngland and, until June, towed ships and barges in preparation for the invasion of Europe. On15 May 1944 her designation was changed to ATF-81.Between
6 June and21 July "Bannock" conducted salvage, repair, towing, and fire fighting operations on United States and British Navy ships during and subsequent to theinvasion of Normandy . She returned toBoston 26 August 1944 and remained on the East Coast until December when she proceeded to thePacific . DepartingPearl Harbor 9 February 1945 "Bannock" sailed to the Western Pacific where, between6 May and30 June 1945 , she participated in the assault and occupation ofOkinawa ."Bannock" continued to operate throughout the Western Pacific until
22 January 1946 . In the early months of 1946 she worked her way eastward across the Pacific, arriving atSan Diego in May. Following pre-inactivation overhaul, she was placed out of commission in reserve21 February 1947 atOrange, TX ."Bannock" was recommissioned
11 September 1951 and reported to the Atlantic Fleet. Between September 1951 and November 1955 she had general and target towing duty along the Eastern Seaboard. She once again went out of commission in reserve25 November 1955 ."Bannock" was disposed of through the Security Assistance Program (SAP) on
1 May 1979 to the Italian Coast Guard for service as theoceanographic research ship C.P. 451 "Bannock"."Bannock" received two
battle stars for her service duringWorld War II .
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