USS Speed (AM-116)

USS "Speed" (AM-116) was an .

After returning to Naples on 20 June, "Speed" operated in the Gulf of Salerno until 7 August preparing for the invasion of southern France. Assigned to Task Force 87, she departed Salerno on 12 August and escorted an LCI convoy to the assault area off Frejus and St. Raphael. She closed the French coast early on 15 August and served as a glider bomb "jam ship" and in the ASW screen during amphibious landings. She operated along the French coast during the next few weeks, sweeping channels and clearing harbors from Frejus to Toulon.

Stateside overhaul

After two escort runs to North Africa, she departed Oran for the United States on 24 November and arrived at Norfolk, Virginia on 11 December to begin a two-month overhaul.

Pacific Ocean operations

"Speed" departed Norfolk, Virginia, on 15 March 1945 for mine-sweeping duty in the western Pacific. Steaming via the Panama Canal and San Diego, California, she reached Pearl Harbor on 31 May. Between 11 June and 12 July, she steamed to Okinawa via the Marshall Islands and Marianas Islands. Assigned to Mine Squadron Six, she swept the waters of the Ryūkyūs during the closing weeks of World War II.

Post-World War II operations

After the end of hostilities, she departed Okinawa on 1 September for sweeping operations along the coast of Japan. Arriving at Kagoshima, Kyūshū, on 3 September, she swept Kagoshima Wan and Van Diemen Strait before returning to Okinawa on 13 September.

During the remainder of 1945, Speed continued minesweeping operations in support of the Allied occupation of Japan. Her duties carried her to Bungo Suido and the Inland Sea, as well as to the East China Sea and waters off Formosa.

Decommissioning

She returned to the United States early in 1946, was decommissioned on 7 June, and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at San Diego, California. She was reclassified MSF-116 on 7 February 1955. On 17 November 1967, "Speed" was transferred to the Republic of Korea, and she served the South Korean navy as "Sunchon" (PCE-1002).

Awards

"Speed" received seven battle stars for World War II service.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5229.html USS "Speed" (AM 116)]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4/beatty-i.htm Beatty I]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02116.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - "Speed" (MSF 116) - ex-AM-116]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-dm.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945]