USS Pursuit (AM-108)

USS "Pursuit" (AM-108) 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.

"Pursuit" was laid down by Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Co., Winslow, Washington, 12 November 1941; launched 12 June 1942; sponsored by Miss Carrie Ann Copp; and commissioned 30 April 1943, Lt. R. F. Good, USNR, in command.

World War II Pacific operations

Following shakedown off the U.S. West Coast, "Pursuit" escorted a round trip convoy between San Francisco, California and Pearl Harbor before getting underway for the New Hebrides 25 October. "Pursuit" was command ship during the invasion of Helen Island, Gilberts before joining Task Force TF 52 for the Kwajalein invasion in which she served as an antisubmarine and minesweeping ship. On 21 March 1944 she returned to San Francisco, California, as a convoy escort. She steamed again for Pearl Harbor 21 April, to escort convoys to the Marshalls through July. On 4 October she got underway from Eniwetok to Manus, Admiralty Islands, to stage for the invasion of the Philippines. Arriving in Leyte Gulf 24 October, she conducted minesweeping operations and anti-submarine patrols, and searched for survivors of sunken ships and downed aircraft.

Lingayen Gulf operations

On 6 January 1945 "Pursuit" reached Lingayen Gulf among the first ships of the invasion force, where she operated until steaming for Leyte Gulf 14 January. Back off Luzon on 28 January she swept off the San Felipe and San Antonio invasion beaches then on the 29th swept in Subic Bay. After completing this operation she proceeded to Guam and Ulithi 4 February to prepare for the invasion of Okinawa.

Okinawa Invasion operations

Arriving at Okinawa 24 March with Task Group TG 52.3, she commenced sweeping operations until the 31st, then took her part in an inner anti-submarine screen for the landing forces at Hagushi Beaches. On 6 April "Pursuit" shot down one suicide plane and assisted in shooting down several others, sailing 27 May for Portland, Oregon.

Post War decommissioning

After the cessation of hostilities, "Pursuit" got underway for the east coast. Arriving Norfolk, Virginia 5 January 1946, from 28 April to 5 September she served as a target ship for torpedo bombing practice off the Florida coast until ordered to Orange, Texas. for inactivation. She arrived Orange, Texas, 7 November, and decommissioned there 30 April 1947.

Recommissioned as survey ship

Recommissioned 15 February 1950, "Pursuit" left Texas and proceeded off Labrador and Greenland as part of Hydrographic Survey Group 2. For the next three years she spent the winter survey season operating in the Caribbean, and the summer months in the northern latitudes off Labrador and Greenland. Reclassified AGS–17, 15 August 1951, "Pursuit" continued that employment schedule until mid-1954 when she set course for Iskendurum, Turkey, 6 October, returning to Norfolk, Virginia, 23 March 1955. On 15 July she was underway for a survey and resupply mission along the Arctic "Dewline". Having sounded previously uncharted waters both above and below the Arctic Circle, she returned to the east coast, at New York, 10 October.

During 1956, 1957, and 1958 "Pursuit" again conducted hydrographic and oceanographic surveys off the coast of Turkey. On her return she resumed surveys in the Caribbean. Reassigned to the Pacific in 1960, Pursuit departed New York 15 February for Pearl Harbor, arriving 14 April. She operated in Hawaiian waters until May when she sailed for Long Beach, California.

Final decommissioning

Mooring there 9 May, she began inactivation and decommissioned 30 June 1960. Her name was struck from the Navy List 1 July 1960.

Awards

"Pursuit" earned 8 battle stars for World War II service.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Minesweeping

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AM/AM-108_Pursuit.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-108 USS Pursuit]
* [http://www.multied.com/Navy/Minelayer/pursuitII.html USS Pursuit II]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02108.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Pursuit (AGS 17) - ex-AM-108]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5222.html USS Pursuit (AM 108)]
* [http://www.dd-692.com/comdesro.htm The Forgotten Battle of World War II]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r6/ringgold-ii.htm Pursuit (AM-108) and Requisite (AM-109), under cover of a smoke screen, swept a channel]