- USS Chandeleur (AV-10)
USS "Chandeleur" (AV-10), a
seaplane tender , was launched on29 November 1941 byWestern Pipe and Steel Company ,San Francisco, California , under a Maritime Commission contract; transferred to the U.S. Navy19 November 1942 ; and commissioned the same day, Captain W. Sinton in command.Operational history
Cargo and tender operations
From
15 January to9 May 1943 , "Chandeleur" supported South Pacific bases and operations by carrying cargo fromSan Diego toEfate ,Espiritu Santo ,Samoa , andNouméa . She cleared San Diego3 June with cargo forPearl Harbor , Midway, and Wallis, and arrived at Espiritu Santo1 July . Here she provided tender services to, and served as base for, Patrol Squadron 71 until13 October .Eniwetok and Saipan
"Chandeleur" returned to cargo duty, now in support of the Treasuries-Bougainville operations. Until
2 March 1944 , she sailed between theNew Hebrides Islands andGuadalcanal , carrying men and aviation equipment. Following overhaul on the west coast, the seaplane tender made a cargo voyage to Pearl Harbor, then clearedOakland, California ,18 May forKwajalein andEniwetok , arriving21 June . At both Eniwetok and Saipan, "Chandeleur" tended Patrol Squadrons 202 and 216 as they flew missions during the invasion and capture of thePalau Islands .Philippines
In September 1944, with Commander, Fleet Air Wing 1 embarked, "Chandeleur" sailed to
Kossol Roads , where she tended seaplanes providing part of the air cover for the long awaited invasion of thePhilippines . AtUlithi from25 December until8 February 1945 , she provided tender services for Patrol Squadron 21.inking of I-8 and spotting of Yamato at Okinawa
"Chandeleur" arrived at
Kerama Retto 28 March 1945 . Her seaplanes supported the invasion ofOkinawa , covering the initial assault1 April . These planes took part in sinking warship|Japanese submarine|I-8 off Okinawa on31 March and on7 April spotted the battleship "Yamato", which was promptly sunk by carrier planes. On15 July , the seaplane base was moved to Okinawa, where "Chandeleur" continued to tend seaplanes in support of the pounding 3d Fleet raids on the Japanese home islands.After hostilities
After a brief call at Eniwetok, "Chandeleur" sailed for
Ominato Ko ,Honshū ,Japan , where she tended seaplanes taking part in the occupation of Japan until16 October . After a west coast overhaul, "Chandeleur" sailed to the Philippines to embark men for transportation toSeattle, Washington , where she arrived11 January 1946 . She proceeded to the east coast, and was placed in reserve at Philadelphia12 February 1947 . She was struck from the Navy Vessel Register on1 April 1971 and scrapped in the same year."Chandeleur" received five battle stars for World War II service.
References
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/41/4110.htm USS "Chandeleur" (AV-10)] , Navsource Online.
*Mawdsley, Dean L. (2002): "Steel Ships and Iron Pipe: Western Pipe and Steel Company of California, the Company, the Yard, the Ships",Glencannon Press , p. 124. ISBN 1-889901-28-8.*DANFS
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