USS Chief (AM-315)

USS "Chief" (AM-315) 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.

History

Chief was a U.S. Navy fleet (oceangoing) minesweeper, named after the word “chief,” the head or leader of a group. Originally intended for Great Britain, "HMS Alice" (BAM-2) was launched 5 January 1943 by General Engineering and Dry Dock Co., Alameda, California; renamed and reclassified "USS Chief" (AM-315), 23 January 1943; and commissioned 9 October 1943, Lieutenant Commander J. M. Wyckoff, USNR, in command. Departing San Diego, California, 7 December 1943, "Chief" joined in exercises in Hawaiian waters until 22 January 1944 when she sailed for Kwajalein. She swept the harbor and joined the antisubmarine patrol until 14 February, when she returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Except for a convoy escort voyage to Eniwetok (21 March-15 April), she remained at Pearl Harbor until 29 May.

Joining Task Force TF 52 at Eniwetok, "Chief" sortied 12 June 1944 for the Marianas operation. Between 15 June and 7 August, she cleared mines for the invasions of Saipan and Tinian, and gave fire support to troops ashore, then had local duty at Saipan. Departing 9 September she escorted "DeGrasse" (AP-164) to Pearl Harbor, then continued to San Francisco, California for overhaul.

Returning to Pearl Harbor 2 January 1945, "Chief" voyaged to Eniwetok on convoy escort duty, then conducted exercises in Hawaiian waters until clearing for Ulithi, where she arrived 4 March. After receiving new equipment, she sailed for Okinawa on 15 May. From 26 May to 21 August she acted as flagship for the group conducting hydrographic survey of Unten Ko, and developing it as a minecraft typhoon anchorage.

On 8 September "Chief" put out for Wakayama, Japan, where until 6 October she swept minefields in preparation for the arrival of occupation forces. She also assisted in the salvage of "YMS-418" on 28 September. "Chief" remained on occupation duty at Nagoya and Sasebo, Japan, until 10 March 1946 when she steamed for San Francisco, California, arriving 19 April. She was placed out of commission in reserve 17 March 1947, berthed at San Pedro, California.

Recommissioned 28 February 1952 at Long Beach, Chief conducted training exercises off San Diego, California, until 7 July when she sailed for Sasebo, Japan, arriving 3 August. She operated with Task Force TF 95 around mine-infested Wonsan Harbor and was twice fired on by enemy shore batteries. She returned to Long Beach, California 5 February 1953 for local operations and training.

Her second Korean tour from 5 October 1953 to 2 June 1954 found her patrolling with Task Force TF 95 off both coasts of Korea to preserve the truce. She returned to west coast operations.

On 1 November 1954 "Chief" was placed in commission in reserve. Reclassified MSF-315 on 7 February 1955, she was placed out of commission in reserve 15 March 1955. "Chief" was sold to Mexico in February 1973. Renamed "Jesus Gonzalez Ortega", she remained in the service of the Mexican Navy.

Awards and honors

"Chief" received five battle stars for World War II service and two battle stars for Korean war service.

References

*

See also

* List of United States Navy ships

External links

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* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-c/am315.htm USS Chief (AM-315, later MSF-315), 1943-1973]
* [http://www.koreanwar.org/html/units/navy/uss_chief.htm USS Chief (AM-315) - US Navy - Korean War Project]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AM/AM-315_Chief.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-315 USS Chief]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5245.html uboat.net - Allied Warships - Minesweeper USS Chief of the Auk class]