USS Heron (AMS-18)

USS "Heron" (MSC(O)-18/AMS-18/YMS-369) was a YMSsub|135 built for the United States Navy during World War II.

"Heron" was laid down as "YMS-369" on 13 January 1943 by Wheeler Shipbuilding Corp., Whitestone, New York, and launched 24 July 1943. The sponsor was Miss Frances J. McCarthy, an employee of the firm. The YMS was commissioned 9 October 1943 with Lt. H. A. Wilson, Jr., in command.

The minesweeper’s World War II service consisted of minesweeping operations around the home islands after the Japanese surrender. On 2 March 1946, she sailed for home after 4 months in Japanese waters and decommissioned. She was named "USS Heron" and reclassified AMS-18 7 February 1947.

After recommissioning 15 July 1949, "Heron" engaged in training exercises on the U.S. West Coast until 4 October 1950 when she sailed for Korean War duty. She patrolled off the peninsula and was of invaluable assistance for her clearing of channels for blockading ships in the siege of Wonsan Harbor, Korea, in March 1951.

"Heron" received superficial damage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties, 10 September 1951. [cite web | url = http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq82-4.htm |title = U.S. Navy Ships: Sunk & Damaged in Action during the Korean Conflict (Partial) | publisher = United States Navy | date = 2004-04-01 | accessdate = 2007-12-26 ]

She maintained surveillance of North Korean sea traffic after the cease-fire until January 1954, when she retired to Sasebo, Japan, for training duties.

Reclassified MSC(O)-18 on 17 February 1955, "Heron" decommissioned again 21 March, and was turned over to the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force the same day to serve as " Nuwajima" (MCS 657).

"Heron" was returned to U.S. Navy custody 31 March 1967, struck from the Naval Vessel Register the same day, and used as a fire target by the Japanese Maritime Staff Ofiice.

Awards and honors

"Heron" earned one battle star for World War II service, and eight battle stars for her participation in the Korean conflict.

References

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External links

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* [http://www.kilroywashere.org/003-Pages/Burl/Burl-ShoreBatteries.html The Shore Batteries at Wonsan] , an account by Burl Gilliland of serving on "Heron", while under fire from North Korean shore batteries. (Includes photos.)
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g470000/g478506.jpgPhoto] of U.S. Navy ships at Sasebo, Japan, that includes "Heron" in the distance. (see [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-fornv/rok/roksh-hl/imchin.htm this page] for description of photo.)