USS Excel (AM-439)

The USS Excel (AM-439) was an Aggressive class minesweeper: laid down, 9 February 1953 as AM-439 at the Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana; launched, 25 September 1953; reclassified an Ocean Minesweeper (non-magnetic) MSO-439, 7 February 1955; commissioned USS Excel (MSO-439), 24 February 1955.

West Coast operations

USS Excel arrived at Long Beach, California, her home port, 4 June 1955, and began operating along the west coast in training and exercises. In 1956 and again in 1959, she served in the Far East with the U.S. 7th Fleet, visiting Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan, and exercising with ships of friendly navies. Through 1960 she continued to sail out of Long Beach, California, for operations and cruises along the west coast.

Minediv 93 went on a WesPac during the summer of 1961, On 27 August 1961, Commander Mine Division 93, with ocean minesweepers USS Leader (MSO 490) and USS Excel (MSO 439), made the first official visit by ships of the U.S. Navy to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The only time U.S. Navy ships visited the Capitol until the U.S.S. Grayvisited on February 2007.

The USS Excel was sent to the reserve fleet in the 70's and was sent to its new home port, Treasure Island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Excel suffered some anti-war damage during the early 70's, someone dropped a cigarette in an officer's country trash can, it caused a fire that almost sunk the ship at pier side. And when she was in the dry dock she slipped down to almost 45 degrees slant! During the late 70's, Excel received a different type of Commander, Albert T. Church.His command helped change the way we sailors were thinking, Excel soon received many unit awards.

Decommissioning

USS Excel was decommissioned, 30 September 1992; struck from the Naval Register, 28 March 1994; laid up in the Reserve Fleet; sold for scrapping to Crowley Marine, January 2000.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e6/excel-ii.htm
*NVR|http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/MSO439.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02439.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - AM / MSO-439 Excel]