USS Murrelet (AM-372)

USS "Murrelet" (AM-372) was an "Auk"-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. She was the only U.S. Navy ship named for the murrelet, a small sea bird found chiefly on islands in the northern Pacific Ocean.

History

"Murrelet" was laid down 24 August 1944 by the Savannah Machine & Foundry Co., Savannah, Georgia; launched 29 December 1944; sponsored by Mrs. W. L. Mingledorff; and commissioned 21 August 1945, Lt. Comdr. J. W. Wagstaff in command.

Following shakedown off Virginia, "Murrelet" departed Little Creek, Virginia, and steamed for Japan, arriving Sasebo 14 January 1946. She engaged in sweeping operations in Japanese and Korean waters until 22 April, when she steamed for the west coast. "Murrelet" was decommissioned 20 June 1946, and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at San Diego, California.

After hostilities broke out in Korea, "Murrelet" recommissioned 28 October 1950. She reported to COMINRON 5 for extensive minesweeping training at Long Beach, California, 6 March 1951. She arrived Yokosuka, Japan, in August 1951 to aid United Nations forces meeting the challenge of Communist aggression. Departing Yokosuka 21 August, she sailed to Korea, participating in operations north of Wonsan, in the Hungnam, Songjin, and Chongjin areas. She resumed shelling and sweeping operations at Songjin 27 November 1951, after returning from a period of yard duty at Yokosuka. She continued sweeping and patrol duties off Korea in 1952, capturing and destroying several enemy sampans, until July, when she returned to the west coast. "Murrelet" started a second tour of duty off Korea in April, 1953, returning to Long Beach, California in December. Redesignated MSF-372, 7 February 1955, she continued to operate off the west coast of the United States, except for a 3rd WestPac deployment that year.

She decommissioned 14 March 1957, and was assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet, at Columbia, Oregon. Struck from the Naval Register 1 December 1964, she was transferred June 1965 to the Philippine Navy under the Foreign Military Assistance Program, and in 1969 serves as "BRP Rizal" (PS 74).

Awards and honors

"Murrelet" received five battle stars for Korean service.

References

*

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Commander Mine Squadron SEVEN

External links

* [http://www.ussmurrelet.com/ web site dedicated to the memory of the USS MURRELET AM-372 and the men who sailed her into harms way.]
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* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AM/AM-372_Murrelet.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-372 USS Murrelet]
* [http://www.donmcdermott.us/navy.htm USS Murrelet MSF-372]
* [http://www.awon.org/local/style.html AWON Washington Post Page]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/class.html?ID=226 uboat.net - Allied Warships - Auk class Minesweepers]
* [http://nmsoa.org/chainlocker.htm The Navy MSO Association]