USS Oriole (AMCU-33)

USS "Oriole" was ordered as "LCI(L)-973" and was laid down 11 March 1944 at Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas; launched 5 April 1944; and commissioned 30 May 1944, Lt. (jg) Ernest J. Kirsch in command.

World War II Pacific operations

This infantry landing craft conducted shakedown out of Galveston, Texas in June 1944 before sailing later in the month to San Diego, California. After a summer of training operations "LCI(L)–973" departed the West Coast in September for Hawaii and the southern Pacific area. Proceeding by stages, she arrived Palau Islands 29 December. Assigned to picket duty with the Palau LCI Force, the landing craft's mission was to prevent the reinforcement of, or offensive action from, by-passed enemy held islands. From March to June 1945 the craft sailed the Kossol-Peleliu mail run but after the installation of a searchlight in June she drew nightly duty on station in the Middle Lagoon.

End of War assignments

Following the Japanese capitulation, with LCI Group 37, she arrived Guam 16 September to shuttle dischargees to Saipan. Steaming via Okinawa the group moored Tientsin, China 11 October to assist in the realignment of American and Chinese personnel along the Chinese coast. China service and occupation duty terminated 16 December as "LCI(L)–973" headed homeward. Returning to the East Coast she decommissioned at Green Cove Springs, Florida. in March 1946.

Korean Conflict operations

In March 1952, while the Korean conflict raged, this Reserve Fleet craft was named USS "Oriole" and designated AMCU–33. Three months later she was reactivated for duty in the 5th Naval District and after additional modification, recommissioned at Charleston, South Carolina, 20 February 1954. Though assigned to the 4th Naval District on 1 April, the ship returned south for four months of mine detection operations off Little Creek, Virginia, in 1954 and in March 1955 participated in LANTMINEX. By this time her designation had changed to a coastal mine hunter and her status to that of an active Reserve Fleet ship.

Final decommissioning

"Oriole" was decommissioned 7 July 1955, was struck from the Navy List 1 January 1960, and sold 27 March 1961 to Ships and Power, Inc. Miami, Florida.

References

ee 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://www.multied.com/navy/MISC/orioleIV.html "Oriole" IV LCI-973]
* [http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24677 "Oriole" Decommissioned]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/04idx.htm NavSource Photo Archives: - Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator) - (AMCU) - Coastal Minehunter (MHC)]