USS Corvus (AKA-26)

USS "Corvus" (AKA-26) was an "Artemis" class attack cargo ship named after the southern constellation "Corvus." She served as a commissioned ship for 16 months.

"Corvus" (AKA-26) was launched 24 September 1944 by Walsh-Kaiser Co., Inc., Providence, R.I., under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. 0. Parks; acquired by the Navy 20 November 1944; and commissioned the same day, Lieutenant Commander C. M. Gregson, USNR, in command.

"Corvus" departed Providence 2 December 1944 for San Francisco, where she loaded cargo for Leyte. Arriving in the Philippines 21 February 1945, "Corvus" discharged cargo at Guiuan for the establishment of an air base there, and transferred cargo at Dulag. On 13 March she began rehearsals for the Okinawa operation, and sailed from Leyte Gulf 27 March for the landings 1 April. She remained off Okinawa undergoing the first of the kamikaze attacks, until 10 April when she sailed with Army casualties for Guam, arriving 14 April. "Corvus" returned to the West Coast for overhaul, and loaded Army men and supplies at Seattle sailing 15 June for Tinian, where she arrived 3 July.

"Corvus" sailed from Tinian 7 July 1945 carrying cargo for Guadalcanal, the Russell Islands, Samar, and Manus, and reported to Manila 30 August. She loaded cargo and occupation troops, and sailed 18 September for Honshū. Returning to Manila 14 October, she sailed a week later to embark homeward-bound servicemen at Yokohama returning to San Pedro, Calif., with them 26 November. Between 26 December and 10 February, she made a similar voyage from the west coast to Guam, then sailed 16 February for Mobile, Alabama, and Orange, Texas. "Corvus" was decommissioned 29 March 1946, and transferred to the Maritime Commission 31 October 1946 for disposal.

Corvus received one battle star in World War II.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c14/corvus.htm Naval Historical Center: USS "Corvus"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/02026.htm NavSource Online: AKA-26 "Corvus"]
* [http://ussrankin.org/id352.htm 51 Years of AKAs]