USS Keokuk (CMc-6)

USS "Keokuk" (AN-5/CM-8/CMc-6/AKN-4) was a minelayer: Laid down in 1914 as the SS Henry M. Flagler by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.; Renamed SSColumbia Heights in 1940; Acquired by the U.S. Navy, 28 July 1941 for conversion to a Coastal Minelayer, CMc-6; Reclassified as a Net Layer, AN-5 and named USS "Keokuk" 15 August 1941; Commissioned, USS "Keokuk" (AN-5), 28 February 1942; Reclassified as a Minelayer, CM-8, 18 May 1942; Reclassified as a Net Cargo Ship, AKN-4 in November 1943.

Atlantic Coast operations

"Keokuk" cleared Delaware Bay 7 March 1942 and arrived Norfolk, Virginia, the same day to commence service as a net layer. She operated out of Norfolk and Key West, Florida, for 2 months before she was reclassified CM-8 on 18 May 1942. Based at Yorktown, Virginia, mine depot that summer, "Keokuk" engaged in high priority mine laying along the Atlantic coast.

World War II North Africa operations

As the war in Europe intensified, the mine layer made preparations for service in the Mediterranean. Departing Brooklyn, New York, 13 November, "Keokuk" crossed the submarine-infested Atlantic and arrived Casablanca 1 December. She remained in North African waters for 7 weeks laying mines off the harbor of Casablanca. She sailed 20 January 1943 with convoy GUS-8, arriving New York 7 February. Following repairs at Hoboken, New Jersey, "Keokuk" sailed 1 March to commence net-laying exercises out of Melville, Rhode Island.

Invasion of Sicily

During April and May, the minelayer operated with the mine warfare school at Yorktown, Virginia; then sailed to Brooklyn, New York, to join a convoy bound for Algeria. "Keokuk" departed Brooklyn 13 June, arriving Oran, Algeria, 4 July. Two days later she steamed toward Gela, Sicily, to lay antisubmarine minefields prior to the landing there. During these operations, on 11 July, "Keokuk" was attacked by six enemy planes; but antiaircraft fire drove the raiders off. After the successful conclusion of the Sicilian campaign, she operated out of Algeria until sailing for Norfolk, Virginia, 7 October.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

Upon completion of a short overhaul, "Keokuk" converted to a net layer and, reclassified AKN-4, departed Norfolk, Virginia, 23 November to meet another enemy in the Pacific. She arrived Tarawa 3 February 1944 after a month's stay at Pearl Harbor, and immediately commenced net laying operations in the Marshall Islands. She continued this service until 12 April when she cleared Eniwetok to load new net at San Francisco, California. "Keokuk" returned Kwajalein 9 June, and departed 2 days later to engage in the amphibious assault on Saipan. She arrived in Saipan waters 19 June and began laying antisubmarine net off Tanapag Harbor.

Following the Saipan campaign the net-cargo ship operated out of Eniwetok until 17 July when she once again sailed for San Francisco, California. Upon her return to Guadalcanal 1 September, "Keokuk" readied herself for the assault on Peleliu which was needed as a base for the subsequent invasion in the Philippines. She arrived off Kossol Passage 17 September and continued net laying operations for 1 month before arriving Manus 17 October. The next day "Keokuk" sailed for San Francisco, California, to undergo repair and overhaul.

The net-cargo ship returned Eniwetok 6 February 1945 as the raging war was approaching its climax. "Keokuk" departed Guam 16 February, bound for the Japanese-held volcano fortress, Iwo Jima. She commenced net laying operations 4 days later, as she played her key role in this courageous undertaking.

Struck by a kamikaze

On 21 February just prior to sunset while cruising in formation with a group of LSTs, an enemy "Jill" dived out of the clouds and hit "Keokuk" on the starboard side, knocking out most of the starboard 20mm battery. The fires were extinguished by 1850; the ship had 17 killed and 44 wounded in the action.

[http://usskeokuk.googlepages.com/damageatiwojima DAMAGE AT IWO JIMA]

Upon completion of repairs at Leyte, the net-cargo ship sailed 19 March toward the last great hurdle-Okinawa. "Keokuk" arrived off Kerama Retto 26 March to lay antisubmarine nets prior to the invasion. With the invasion well under way, she cleared the battle area 4 April, arriving Saipan 10 April. Then after a 2-month overhaul at Pearl Harbor, "Keokuk" returned Eniwetok 2 July to unload net material. As the war entered its final month she sailed from Ulithi 25 July, and, after a stop at Pearl Harbor, arrived San Francisco, California, 10 September.

The veteran ship remained there until she decommissioned 5 December 1945 at San Francisco, California; transferred to the War Shipping Administration, 1 July 1946 for disposal; sold 7 March 1947 to the West India Fruit & Steam Ship Co. of Florida. Fate unknown.

"Keokuk" received five battle stars for World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/k3/keokuk-ii.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/0608.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - "Keokuk" (AKN 4) - ex-CM-8 - ex-AN-5 - ex-CMc-6]
* [http://usskeokuk.googlepages.com/ USS KEOKUK CM-8 / AKN-4 ANNUAL REUNION]