USS Conquest (AM-488)

USS "Conquest" (MSO-488) was an "Aggressive class minesweeper in the United States Navy.

"Conquest" was laid down by the J. L. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. at Tacoma in Washington on 26 March 1953 as AM-488, launched on 20 March 1954 by Mrs. C. D. Henderson (reclassified MSO-488)and commissioned on 08 July 1955 with Lieutenant E. L. Davis in command.

One of a new type of nonmagnetic minesweepers, "Conquest" remained operating out of Long Beach on trials and training until 2 October 1956. She sailed to Acapulco, Mexico, for a good will visit from 10 to 14 October, then returned to Long Beach to prepare for her first tour of duty in the Far East. Sailing 4 March 1957, "Conquest" visited Chinhae. Korea; Kaohsuing, Formosa for operations with the Navy of the Republic of China; Hong Kong, British Crown Colony; and various ports in Japan before returning to Long Beach 13 September 1957 for overhaul. During 1958 she operated locally out of Long Beach and conducted a series of minesweeping exercises at Esquimalt, Nootka Sound, and Vancouver, British Columbia, from 6 October to 19 November. Between 17 August 1959 and 13 March 1960, she again served in the Far East, returning to local operations through June 1960.

"Conquest" was decommissioned on 29 June 1994, stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 29 June 1994 and sold on 01 March 1995. "Conquest" was sold to Taiwan to be designated Yung Tzu (MSO 1307) for $742,779

Call sign:November - Tango - Alpha - Whiskey

26 UNIT AWARDS & CITATIONSArmed Forces Expeditionary Medals for Quemoy-Matsu,Vietnam & Persian Gulf(8),Combat Action Ribbons(2),Navy "E" Ribbons (3),Navy Unit Commendation(1),Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry(3),Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation 1982(1) and the Vietnam Service Medals(8).

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02488.htm Mine Warfare Ship Photo Index MSO-488 Conquest]
* [http://home.earthlink.net/~telawson/ussconquestmso488/ USS Conquest MSO 488]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/MSO488.htm Conquest]

References

Based on data from the Naval Vessel Register.