USS Charlottesville (PF-25)

USS "Charlottesville" (PF-25), a "Tacoma"-class frigate, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Charlottesville, Virginia.

"Charlottesville" (PF-25) was launched on 30 July 1943 by Walter Butler Shipbuilding Company in Superior, Wisconsin, under a Maritime Commission contract, sponsored by Mrs. J. E. Gleason, wife of the mayor of Charlottesville; and commissioned on 10 April 1944, with Lieutenant W. F. Cass, USCG, in command.

Departing New York City on 18 August 1944, "Charlottesville" arrived at Finschhafen, New Guinea, on 29 September by way of Bora Bora in the Society Islands. She operated on convoy escort and anti-submarine patrol duty between New Guinea and the Philippines until 6 March 1945 when she departed Leyte for Seattle, Washington, arriving there on 15 June.

Following the training of Russian personnel in the operation of the ship, "Charlottesville" was decommissioned on 12 July 1945 and transferred to USSR the next day under lend-lease. Returned to United States custody on 17 October 1949 at Yokosuka, Japan, "Charlottesville" was lent to Japan on 14 January 1953 and renamed "Matsu".

"Charlottesville" received two battle stars for service in World War II.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c6/charlottesville.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Charlottesville"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/08025.htm navsource.org: USS "Charlottesville"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/patrol/pf25.htm hazegray.org: USS "Charlottesville"]