USS Agenor (ARL-3)

The USS "Agenor" (ARL-3) was one of 39 "Achelous"-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Agenor (in history and Greek mythology, a king of Tyre), she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

World War II

Originally projected as "LST-490" but redesignated "ARL-3" and named "Agenor" on 13 January 1943; laid down on 24 January 1943 by Kaiser Company, Inc. of Vancouver, Washington; launched on 3 April 1943; and commissioned at San Francisco, California on 20 August 1943 with Lieutenant Argyle W. Markley in command. From December, 1943 through 9 June 1944 "Agenor" provided repair services to numerous landing craft operating in the Solomon, Russell, and Marshall Islands. On 9 June the repair ship got underway for the Marianas. Eight days later, Japanese torpedo bombers attacked "Agenor's" convoy. Despite several near misses, the ship continued on safely to waters off Saipan where she arrived on the 24th. "Agenor" was then assigned duty with a salvage group, Task Group (TG) 52.7. While air raids were a constant threat, the vessel carried out her work successfully. On 15 July she moved to Tinian to supply services to invasion forces there. The ship sailed to Guam in early August and reported to Task Force 53. That island was her base of operations through 2 October, when the ship shifted to Ulithi in the Carolines. "Agenor" returned to Guam on 10 February 1945 to prepare for the Iwo Jima landings. On 20 February the repair ship arrived off Iwo Jima and joined TG 51.3. During the operations there, "Agenor" carried out her work despite air attack and heavy seas. The ship remained at Iwo Jima until 25 June. She then got underway for Saipan, where she dropped anchor on the 29th. Soon after reporting to Service Squadron 10 for duty, "Agenor" left Saipan bound for Hawaii and a much-needed overhaul. The vessel reached Pearl Harbor on 18 July and entered the navy yard. The end of World War II found the ship still undergoing repairs at Pearl Harbor. Upon completion of the yard work, "Agenor" served in the Hawaiian operating area until placed out of commission, in reserve, on 15 November 1946.

"Agenor" won three battle stars for her World War II service.

First Indochina War

"Agenor" was transferred to the government of France on 2 March 1951 under the terms of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program and renamed RFS "Vulcain" (A-656). Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 26 March 1951.

Taiwanese navy

Transferred by France to the Republic of China in 1957 and renamed "Wu Tai" (ARL-336), her final fate is unknown.

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