USS Owl (AMCU-35)

USS "Owl" (AMCU-35) was originally laid down as the "LCI(L)-982". "LCI(L)-982" was laid down 23 March 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas; launched 18 April 1944; and commissioned 16 May 1944, Lt.(j.g.) L. R. Dawson in command.

World War II Pacific operations

After conducting landing exercises and other aspects of her shakedown, "LCI(L)–982" departed Galveston, Texas, 10 June 1944, en route to the southwest Pacific war zone. Transiting the Panama Canal 19 June she sailed the southern route to the Admiralty Islands arriving Manus early in August. For six weeks she supported operations at Humboldt Bay and Maffin Bay, New Guinea prior to steaming 16 October for the Leyte, Philippines invasion scene.

Philippine invasion support

From this base she embarked elements of the 503rd Parachute Regiment, 24th Infantry Division who first stepped ashore at Mindoro, 15 December. Early in January 1945 her LCI(L) Group 45 loaded rangers of the 6th Battalion who landed 10 January via U.S. Army DUKS on Blue Beach, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, where high surf proved more of an obstacle than the Japanese. Employed on inter-Philippine island logistic missions until the end of the war, LCI(L) Group 45 then came under control of Commander, Yangtze Patrol. Sailing via Okinawa, she arrived Shanghai early in October but on the 10th was redirected to Ningpoo. Here troops of the 70th Chinese Army boarded and two days later debarked to complete the occupation of Formosa.

Return to the US

Not involved in further troop movements, she departed the China coast 1 December. Again transiting the Panama Canal "LCI(L)-982" reported at Green Cove Springs, Florida, 20 May 1946 and decommissioned 24 June joining the 16th Reserve Fleet.

Reclassified as AMCU

Reclassified first in 1949 as "LSIL-982", the Korean conflict brought conversion at Charleston, South Carolina, to an AMCU and a recommissioning 19 December 1953. USS "Owl" (AMCU–35) departed January 1954 for the 15th Naval District arriving Balboa, Panama Canal Zone 5 February. Beside serving as a mine-hunting harbor defense ship she conducted a two-week Reserve Training cruise to Cartagena, Colombia in December 1954. Reclassified MHC-35 on 7 February 1955, her basic duties remained the same until 2 August 1957 when she departed the Naval Station Rodman, Canal Zone, for Boston and retirement.

Decommissioning

USS "Owl" (MHC–35) decommissioned for the last time 1 November 1957 and was struck from the Navy list 17 October 1957.

Awards

As "LCI(L)-982" she received 2 battle stars for World War II service.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II
* Minesweeper (ship)
* Minesweeping

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o5/owl-ii.htm DANFS: USS "Owl"]
* [http://www.multied.com/Navy/MISC/owlII.html USS "Owl"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/mine/ Mine Warfare Vessels]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-dm.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940–1945]