USS Specter (AM-306)

USS Specter (AM-306) (ex-Spector) was an Admirable Class Minesweeper, built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Her crew, once aboard the new ship, was quickly trained in minesweeping and then sent to the Pacific Ocean to clear minefields, so that Allied troops could approach Japanese-held beaches in a safe manner. This dangerous work, often under fire from Japanese defenses, earned Specter four battle stars.

She was laid down on 5 September 1943 by Associated Shipbuilders, Seattle, Washington; launched on 15 February 1944, sponsored by Miss Carol D. Petrie, and commissioned on 30 August 1944, Lt. J. Chevalier, USNR, in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

"Specter" departed Seattle, Washington, on 16 September en route to San Pedro, California. She conducted shakedown training off San Pedro and San Diego, California, from 21 September to 19 October. The minesweeper sailed from San Pedro on 9 November for Hawaii and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 18 November 1944. Following training in gunnery, antisubmarine warfare, and minesweeping operations, she sailed on 22 January 1945 for the Volcano Islands.

Invasion of Iwo Jima operations

After stops at Eniwetok and Tinian, "Specter" arrived at Iwo Jima on 16 February, three days before the landing, and began minesweeping operations. She was busy clearing minefields, patrolling, and performing escort duty until 28 February when she sailed for Saipan. After a stop at Ulithi from 6 to 19 March "Specter" steamed to Okinawa.

Invasion of Okinawa

On arrival there on 25 March, she commenced pre-invasion minesweeping operations of sea-lanes and channels. The ship remained in the Okinawa area until 6 August. During this period, she conducted antisubmarine patrols, swept mines off Okinawa and Iheya Shima, and made two open-sea sweeps in the East China Sea. While on patrol off Ie Shima on 25 May, she shot down a Japanese fighter plane.

Post-war mine clearance operations

"Specter" was in Leyte Gulf from 9 to 27 August. She sailed for Japan on 28 August and, after touching at Buckner Bay, Okinawa, arrived in Japanese home waters on 9 September. During the next three months she swept mines at Nagasaki, Sasebo, Bungo Suido, and Tsushima. On 11 December 1945, "Specter" was ordered home; she arrived at San Diego, California, on 11 January 1946; and was routed onward to Orange, Texas, where she was placed in reserve, out of commission.

Deactivation

Specter was redesignated from AM-306 to MSF-306 on 7 February 1955 while in reserve. She was struck from the Navy list on 1 July 1972 and sold to Mexico on 11 April 1973. She served that country as DM-04 (ID-04), later renamed General Manuel E Rincon ( C-52 ).

Awards

"Specter" received four battle stars for World War II service.

References

ee also

*List of United States Navy ships
*World War II
*Patrol boat
*Minelayer
*minesweeper
*Minesweeping

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02306.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Specter (MSF 306) - ex-Specter (AM 306) - ex-Spector]