USS Dextrous (AM-341)

USS "Dextrous" (AM-341) was an acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

History

"Dextrous" was launched 17 June 1943 by Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Alabama; sponsored by Miss S. S. Kenney; and commissioned 8 September 1943, Lieutenant Commander S. S. Trotman in command.

"Dextrous" sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, 14 November 1943 as a convoy escort, arriving at Bizerte, Tunisia, 3 January 1944. Ten days later she sailed for Naples, Italy, to sweep in the Gulf of Salerno. On 21 January she left Naples for the Anzio-Nettuno beachhead where she swept mines prior to the assault the next day, and patrolled and provided antiaircraft fire during the bitter fighting ashore. Except for two voyages to Bizerte to replenish, "Dextrous" served off Anzio until 12 August 1944 when she sailed from Naples for pre-invasion minesweeping off the southern coast of France. She swept and patrolled there until 1 October when she put in to Bizerte. Escorting a convoy of LSTs, she returned to Norfolk, Virginia, 11 December for overhaul.

"Dextrous" sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, 15 February 1945 for the Pacific Ocean, arriving at Pearl Harbor 18 March. She aided in the training of submarines in the Hawaiian Islands until 23 May, when she sailed west. After calling at Guam to remove some experimental gear, she reached Okinawa 14 July to join the minesweeping operations coordinated with the U.S. 3rd Fleet's final raids on Japan.

After the war "Dextrous" remained in the Far East, clearing minefields in Japanese waters until 15 January 1946 when she sailed from Sasebo, Japan, for the U.S. West Coast. She arrived at San Pedro, California, 22 February and was placed out of commission in reserve 5 June 1946.

Recommissioned 1 December 1950 for service in the Korean War, "Dextrous" made her first Far Eastern cruise from 3 March 1951 to 28 February 1952. She patrolled and swept on both coasts of Korea. Often under fire from shore batteries which hit her three times, "Dextrous" captured two sampans and five prisoners-of-war. She returned to Korean waters for similar duty from 1 December 1952 to 3 July 1953.

Following the cease fire in Korea "Dextrous" made cruises to the western Pacific in 1954 and 1955-56 during which she patrolled off Korea, and participated in various exercises with the Fleet. Alternating with this duty were local exercises out of her home port at Long Beach, California, and a cruise along the west coast to San Francisco, California, and Seattle, Washington, in the summer of 1955.

"Dextrous" was again placed out of commission in reserve 31 October 1956. She was reclassified MSF-341, 7 February 1955.

Awards and honors

"Dextrous" received five battle stars for World War II service and five for Korean War service.

References

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External links

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* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/class.html?ID=226 uboat.net - Allied Warships - Auk class Minesweepers]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945]