USS Recruit (AM-285)

USS "Recruit" (AM-285) 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 three battle stars to their credit.

"Recruit" was laid down by the General Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Alameda, California, 24 May 1943; launched 11 December 1943 sponsored by Miss Kathleen Merrit Jackson and commissioned 8 November 1944, Lt. Comdr. Chester A. Bowes in command.

World War II Pacific operations

Following shakedown off San Pedro, California, "Recruit" steamed 5 January 1945 for Pearl Harbor, whence she escorted two convoys to Eniwetok. From there she proceeded with the second convoy to Ulithi arriving 9 March.

Supporting the invasion of Okinawa

Ten days later "Recruit" departed Ulithi with task group TG 52.5 for Okinawa. From the 24th to the 27th, she conducted clearance sweeps south of Tokashiki Island, Kerama Retto, then shifted to Okinawa for a pre-invasion sweep off the western beaches. After the invasion she operated north of Ie Shima, then returned to the Kerama Retto area.

Attacked by kamikaze aircraft

On 6 April, off the northern tip of Okinawa Shima, "Recruit" fought off several aerial attacks, splashing three planes, and rescuing crewmen from USS|Rodman|DMS-21 and USS|Emmons|DMS-22, damaged by kamikaze planes. The rest of April was spent in conducting clearance sweeps in the Kerama Retto and Tonachi Shima areas.

On 4 May "Recruit" retired briefly to Ulithi, returning to Okinawa 4 June for screening operations around the transport areas off Okinawa, then conducted antisubmarine patrol off Zampa Misaki.

Large-scale mine clearance operations

On 4 July, "Recruit" took part in one of the largest sweeping operations ever undertaken in Pacific waters, the 50-ship sweep in the Operation Juneau area of the East China Sea. "Recruit" swept 15 mines in this operation. In August she took part in a sweep of the Operation Skagway area of the northern East China Sea, sweeping 15 more mines.

End-of-war activity

On 31 August, after Japan had capitulated, "Recruit", as part of task unit TU 95.4.31, departed Okinawa, en route to Tsugaru Strait, Northern Honshū and after sweeping a channel into Mutsu Kaiwan, moved on to Ominato Ko, anchoring there 8 September with other units of the North Pacific Force. From then until 20 October, the task group swept mines in the Tsugaru Strait.

On 20 October, "Recruit", in company with TU 56.4.1, sailed for Sasebo, arriving on the 26th. On 3 November she proceeded to Hiro Wan, Honshū. Arriving two days later, she acted as pilot vessel between Hiro Wan and Kure Ko for the remainder of the month. On 1 December, "Recruit" returned to Sasebo, whence she got underway for the United States, 28 December.

Post-war decommissioning

She returned to San Pedro, California, 15 February by way of Saipan and Pearl Harbor, transited the Panama Canal Zone 24 March and reached Orange, Texas, 3 April, where she decommissioned 15 August 1946.

Reclassified MSF-285, 7 February 1955, "Recruit" was moved 29 May 1958 to Green Cove Springs, Florida, where she remained until struck from the Navy list 1 May 1962. Her fate is now unknown.

Awards

"Recruit" earned three battle stars for World War II service.

References

See also

* USS Recruit
* 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/recruit-i.htm
title= "Recruit"
work= DANFS
publisher= U.S. Naval Historical Center
*cite web | accessdate= 2008-02-18
url= http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02285.htm
title= "Recruit"
work= Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive | publisher= NavSource Online