USS Heed (AM-100)

USS "Heed" (AM-100) 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.

"Heed" (AM-100) was named after the word "heed" which indicates attention or regard. "Heed" was launched 19 June 1942 by the General Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Alameda, California; and commissioned 27 February 1943, Lt. J. J. Lind in command.

North Pacific operations

After shakedown out of San Diego, California, Heed sailed 24 April for the Aleutians where she took up patrolling station then acted as escort for convoys sailing to and from Alaskan ports. After minesweeping operations out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, she sailed for Pearl Harbor 1 December and took up duty there.

South Pacific operations

On 22 January 1944 she joined Rear Admiral R. L. Conolly's Northern Attack Force for the Marshall Islands Operations (29 January – 23 February 1944). "Heed" screened the transports until they entered Kwajalein Lagoon 31 January for the initial landings then began her sweep of the anchorage areas. Screening, mine-sweeping operations and hydrographic work kept "Heed" busy until 31 March when she sailed for Pearl Harbor. After escort duties at Pearl Harbor, "Heed" joined Vice Admiral Turner's Northern Attack Force as a unit of the Minesweeping and Hydrographic Survey Group for capture of Marianas' Saipan and Tinian (June-August 1944). After screening USS|Louisville|CA-28|6 during fire support missions off the southern coast of Saipan, "Heed" patrolled between Saipan and Tinian and subsequently for the next seven months screened convoys between the Marshalls, the Carolines, and Marianas. "Heed" sortied from Ulithi 19 March 1945 as a unit of Admiral Blandy's Amphibious Support Force for the capture of Okinawa (14 March – 30 June 1945). After sweeping operations off Okinawa, she acted as patrol and escort ship until 28 April when she sailed for the United States via Pearl Harbor, arriving Seattle, Washington, 24 May. With the newest of sweep gear, "Heed" sailed again for the Western Pacific, arriving Eniwetok 9 October via Johnston Island. She carried out minesweeping operations at Okinawa, Sasebo, Formosa, and the East China Sea.

First decommissioning

"Heed" returned to San Diego, California, 9 February 1946. "Heed" remained at San Diego, California and decommissioned there 15 January 1947, joining the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Second commissioning

"Heed" was recommissioned 5 March 1952, Lt. E. N. Robinson, in command.

Post-World War II operations

Departing San Diego, California, 12 May 1952, "Heed" transited the Panama Canal and arrived Charleston, South Carolina, on 6 June. Between June 1952 and November 1953 "Heed" operated out of Charleston, South Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia, making one deployment to the Mediterranean (6 January – 21 May 1953) and a cruise to Quebec, Canada (3 August – 29 August 1953).

Second decommissioning

Departing Charleston 16 November she sailed to Orange, Texas, and decommissioned there 27 January 1954 and once again joined the Reserve Fleet. Reclassified MSF-100 on 7 February 1955, "Heed" remained at Orange, Texas, until struck from the Navy List 1 March 1967.

Awards

"Heed" received five battle stars for World War II service.

References

ee also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Minesweeping

External links

* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AM/AM-100_Heed.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-100 USS Heed]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02100.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive Heed (MSF 100) ex-AM-100]
* [http://www2.ric.edu/news/displayNews.php?id=news-157 navigator aboard the USS Southerland and executive officer of the USS Heed.]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/class.html?ID=226 uboat.net - Allied Warships - Auk class Minesweepers]
* [http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:eOT7cC_3B68J:www.ussorleck.com/decklogs/xls/January_1952.xls+%27uss+heed%27&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=18&gl=us named men left ... San Diego, CaliforniaFor assignment to USS Heed AM 100]