USS Myrmidon (ARL-16)

The USS "Myrmidon" (ARL-16) was one of 39 "Achelous"-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for the Myrmidons (in Greek mythology, warriors of the fierce Thessalian tribe who accompanied King Achilles, their leader, to the Trojan War), she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally laid down as "LST-948" by Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard, Inc. of Hingham, Massachusetts 25 August 1944; named "Myrmidon" 11 September 1944; launched 28 September 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Marguerite Ross; placed in reduced commission 19 October 1944; transferred to Jacksonville, Florida; decommissioned there 10 November 1944; converted to "ARL 16" by Merrill Stevens Shipyard, Jacksonville, Florida; and commissioned 9 March 1945 with Lieutenant Edgar A. Simpson in command. After shakedown along the east coast, "Myrmidon" departed Norfolk, Virginia for the Pacific 10 April. She reached San Diego late in the month; then, after loading cargo at San Francisco, she steamed to Pearl Harbor on 19 May for duty with Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet. Sailing in convoy 30 May, she steamed via the Marshall Islands to Iwo Jima where she arrived 22 June. During the closing weeks of fighting in the Pacific "Myrmidon" operated at Iwo Jima repairing, disbursing, and provisioning ships at that important American forward base. Following the Japanese surrender, she continued service and repair duties throughout the Pacific from the Marianas to Pearl Harbor. Late in 1946 she returned to the gulf coast and was placed in a reduced service status in January 1947. She decommissioned at Orange, Texas 7 July 1947 and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She remained berthed with ships of the Orange Group for more than a decade. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 April 1960, and she was sold 21 December 1960 to River Equipment, Inc. of Memphis, Tennessee, and later resold to the Dravo Corporation, Neville Island, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 16 January 1961. Resold to the Avondale Shipbuilding Corporation "circa" 1962, her final fate is unknown.

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