USS Kennebago (AO-81)

The USS "Kennebago" (AO-81) was an "Escambia"-class fleet oiler, of the T2-SE-A2 tanker hull type, serving in the United States Navy during the era of the Second World War. Laid down 9 January 1943, she was named for the Kennebago River located in Rangeley, Maine.

"Kennebago" was launched 9 May 1943 after being built at Marinship, Sausalito, California. Sponsored by Mrs. W. E. Waste, the ship was commissioned by the US Navy on 4 December 1943.

After an initial shakedown cruise off the west coast, "Kennebago" departed San Diego on 24 January, 1944 for various bases in the Aleutians carrying fuel oil and aviation gasoline. She returned to San Diego 28 February, loaded with fuel, and departed for the Marshall Islands. She arrived 15 April and continued to make fueling runs from Pearl Harbor to the Marshall's.

After the United States invasion of the Marianas, "Kennebago" departed the Marshall's on 19 June, and arrived in Saipan 22 June to refuel ships of the 5th Fleet. After continuing refueling operations in the area, she departed Manus 9 October to rendezvous with Vice Admiral Mitscher's Past Carrier Task Force, Task Force 38, conducting operations in the Philippine Sea. After refueling ships until 23 October, she departed for Ulithi, continuing to refuel ships east of the Philippines until 25 December. Next, she would support the landing operations in Lingayen Gulf, fueling ships that were operating as part of the task force. She continued on refueling operations in the theater until 6 April, 1945, when she would sail for Los Angeles, California, arriving there 24 April.

After a brief overhaul, "Kennebago" was again ready for operations in the Western Pacific, departing 12 June, after brief stops in San Francisco, California, and Pearl Harbor. After arriving back at Ulithi 4 July, she continued refueling ships operating in Japanese waters off Honshū. After the Japanese surrender, she operated out of Okinawa until 9 October, when she would steam to Taku, China to support the United States 7th Fleet in support of the Nationalist Chinese troops fighting the Communist Chinese control of China. After returning to Pearl Harbor on 28 December, she returned to Hong Kong 26 January, 1946 and sailed for San Francisco 17 February. Once returning stateside, "Kennebago" sailed for Boston, Massachusetts on 28 March, arriving 19 April.

After over a year, "Kennebago" was transferred to the Maritime Commission 27 May, 1947 as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. She was reacquired by the United States Navy on 1 October, 1949, and was placed in service as "USNS Kennebago" in September 1950. After serving in the Korean Conflict and supporting the American naval power during the early Cold War, she was released to the Maritime Administration on 27 November, 1957 in Beaumont, Texas. Again, she was reacquired by the Navy on 23 May, 1958 for logistical supply in the Pacific. During 1959, she served the 6th Fleet operating in the Mediterranean Sea. After returning to New York City on 22 May, 1959 she was transferred to the National Defense Reserve Fleet again in the James River, Virginia on 23 June, 1959. On 20 May, 1966, "Kennebago" served her final mission for the US Army in Vietnam. Together [http://www.frisco-tx.net/RVN/Instamatic1/html/700504-TamalpaisKennebago.htm with the USS Tamalpais (AO-96)] the ship served as a floating power station anchored near Nha-Trang, Viet-Nam until at least May 1971.

Awards, Citations, Campaign Ribbons

USS "Kennebago" earned seven differnent awards throughout the course of her career. She has earned the China Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, six Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals, the World War Two Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp), the National Defense Service Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

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