USS Rebel (AM-284)

USS "Rebel" (AM-284) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the Pacific Ocean before voyaging to the U.S. East Coast for decommissioning. Post-war, her crew returned home proudly with four battle stars to their credit.

"Rebel" was laid down by the General Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Alameda, California, 10 May 1943 launched 28 October 1943, sponsored by Mrs. C. E. Guiness and commissioned 12 September 1944, Lt. Comdr. E. S. Weymouth in command.

World War II Pacific Ocean operations

Following shakedown in off the California coast, "Rebel" steamed for Pearl Harbor 9 November 1944, arriving 9 days later. On 16 December she began to escort Hawaii-Eniwetok convoys then proceeded via Tinian, to Iwo Jima where she conducted pre-invasion minesweeping and antisubmarine screening operations despite shore battery fire and plane attacks 16-28 February 1945.

Invasion of Okinawa operations

"Rebel" then returned to the Marianas, whence she sailed for Ulithi to stage for Operation Iceberg, the invasion of Okinawa. On 25 March she arrived off Kerama Retto. She swept the approaches to that anchorage and to the Hagushi beaches until 1 April.

Three kamikaze shot down

Resuming minesweeping operations after the landings on Okinawa she shot down three Japanese planes on the 6th and on the same day rescued 34 crewmen from USS|Rodman|DMS-21 and USS|Emmons|DMS-22, both damaged by kamikazes.

Steaming to Ulithi 17 April, "Rebel" returned to Okinawa 16 May and, for the remainder of the war operated in the Ryukyus and the East China Sea. At the end of July she participated in the Operation Juneau pre-invasion sweeps in the East China Sea, sweeping a total of 16 mines. During the Operation Skagway, sweeping operation in August, she swept 12 mines.

End-of-war activity

On 6 September 1945 "Rebel" rendezvoused with other ships of the Pacific Fleet 200 miles off Honshū arrived at Tsugaru Strait between Honshū and Hokkaidō the next day and commenced sweeping a channel into Mutsu Bay, Honshū ahead of the occupation fleet. She anchored at Ominato Naval Base on the 8th.

From 16 September to 8 October, "Rebel" with 11 other AM-class minesweepers, cleared the entrances to Tsugaro Strait and swept off southern Hokkaidō and northern Honshū, with "Rebel" sweeping 21 mines. She then proceeded to Sasebo, Hiro Wan, and Kochi Eria, Honshū, for further sweeping operations.

Transfer to the Atlantic Ocean

On 20 November she departed Hiro Wan for the United States. Arriving at San Diego, California, 18 December she continued on transited the Panama Canal 29 December, and arrived at New Orleans, Louisiana, 4 January 1946 to prepare for inactivation. Shifting to Orange, Texas; 11 April 1946, "Rebel" decommissioned 12 June 1946, and joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

Decommissioning

Redesignated MSF-284 on 7 February 1955, "Rebel" was shifted to the Green Cove Springs, Florida, berthing area in June 1958 and returned to Orange in 1962. Her name was struck from the Navy list 1 May 1962, and in October 1962 she was sold to the Government of Mexico which she served as the escort vessel DM-14.

Awards

"Rebel" earned four battle stars for World War II service.

References

See also

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

External links

*cite web | accessdate= 2008-02-18
url= http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r3/rebel.htm
title= "Rebel"
work= DANFS
publisher= U.S. Naval Historical Center
*cite web | accessdate= 2008-02-18
url= http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02284.htm
title= "Rebel"
work= Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive | publisher= NavSource Online