USS Carson City (PF-50)

USS "Carson City" (PF-50), a "Tacoma"-class frigate, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Carson City, Nevada.

History

US Navy

"Carson City" (PF-50) was launched 13 November 1943 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Wilmington, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. C. B. Austin; and commissioned 24 March 1944, Commander H. B. Roberts, USCG, in command.

"Carson City" sailed from Los Angeles 19 July 1944 for Espiritu Santo and Milne Bay, where on 13 August she reported for patrol and escort duty in the New Guinea area- with the US 7th Fleet. She took part in the unopposed landings on Morotai 16 September, an essential preliminary to the Philippines operation, then took part in guarding ships, men, and supplies being assembled in the intricate plans for the Leyte landings. She herself sailed for Leyte Gulf from Humboldt Bay on 16 October, supporting the first wave of reinforcements for the Northern Attack Force. On 22 October she accompanied her charges into the landing area, and next day escorted the empty ships back to Humboldt Bay.

"Carson City" resumed convoy escort duty in New Guinea, shuttling to Wakde, Biak, Noemfoor, Sansapor, Morotai, and Mios Woendi until 26 November 1944, when she cleared for overhaul at Pearl Harbor thence for duty with the Alaskan Sea Frontier at Dutch Harbor where she reported 12 January 1945.

USSR and Japan service

On 29 August she was transferred at Cold Bay to Russia under lend-lease where she served as EK-22. Returned to the United States at Yokosuka, Japan, 31 October 1949, "Carson City" was decommissioned and placed in reserve the same day. "Carson City" was then transferred to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force on 30 April 1953 as "Sakura" (PF 290). The "Sakura" was reclassified as an Auxiliary Stock Craft, YAC-16 on 31 March 1966. On 31 March 1971, she would be decommissioned, and eventually returned to U.S. custody in August of the same year.

Awards

"Carson City" received two battle stars for World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c4/carson_city.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Carson City"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/08050.htm navsource.org: USS "Carson City"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/patrol/pf50.htm hazegray.org: USS "Carson City"]