USS Scuffle (AM-298)

USS "Scuffle" (AM-298) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters. She served in the Pacific Ocean and, because of her valiant efforts in combat, her crew returned home with five battle stars.

"Scuffle" was laid down on 4 May 1943 by Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Co., Seattle, Washington; launched on 8 August 1943; sponsored by Miss Marianne Baron, and commissioned on 2 May 1944, Lt. Comdr. Erik A. Johnson in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

After shakedown, "Scuffle" sailed from San Francisco, California, on 11 July 1944 for Hawaii. Operating out of Pearl Harbor, she swept an old American-laid minefield in the French Frigate Shoals between 6 and 15 August, escorted a convoy to Eniwetok, and carried out various tests and training operations. She arrived at San Pedro Bay, Leyte, on 31 December 1944 and joined Mine Division 34.

Supporting invasion of the Philippines

With her division, "Scuffle" participated in the pre-invasion sweeps at Lingayen Gulf on 6 January 1945, and at Zambales and Subic Bay on the 29th and 31st. In each instance, after completing the pre-invasion sweeps, she helped extend the cleared areas during and after the initial troop landings, and provided antisubmarine and antiaircraft protection for the transports.

Under fire from Japanese shore batteries

On 13 February, her division began pre-invasion sweeps in Manila Bay in preparation for landings at Mariveles and Corregidor. While operating off Corregidor on the 14th, the minesweepers came within convert|5000|yd of the island and were repeatedly straddled by Japanese fire before supporting ships silenced the enemy's guns. "Scuffle" continued sweeping in Manila Bay through 18 February, and her unit earned a Navy Unit Commendation for the operation.

On 24 February, "Scuffle" re-entered Manila Bay with 15 YMS's to clear the harbor of mines and submerged wrecks. Her force, plus the salvage ship USS|Cable|ARS-19, accomplished the task by 10 April, sweeping 615 square miles of water and opening the Harbor to supply ships. On 22 April, she rejoined Mine Division 34 in an 8-day sweep of the Sulu Sea off Palawan. On 9 May, the minesweeper arrived at Morotai to prepare for operations in the Netherlands East Indies.

Supporting Brunei Bay invasion

On 2 June, "Scuffle" sailed from Morotai with her division to carry out a pre-invasion sweep in Brunei Bay. She ran aground on a reef on 6 June, damaging a screw, but was able to carry out her assigned sweeps before sailing, on 12 June, for repairs at Subic Bay.

Task group receives Presidential Unit Citation

She rejoined her division on 26 June off Balikpapan and provided support to YMS's performing the pre-invasion sweep. She left Balikpapan on 8 July and returned to Subic Bay for a month of overhaul. "Scuffle's" task group received a Presidential Unit Citation for its service off Balikpapan.

Surviving typhoons and minefields

The minesweeper left the Philippines on 6 September and arrived at Sasebo, Japan, on 20 October after weathering three typhoons en route. She helped sweep Japanese minefields in Tsushima Strait and the Ryukyu Islands until sailing from Sasebo for home on 9 December.

Post-war decommissioning

Arriving at Orange, Texas, on 2 April 1946, she was decommissioned there on 19 June 1946 and placed in reserve. The ship was reclassified MSF-298 effective 7 February 1955. She was struck from the Navy list on 1 May 1962 and transferred to Mexico on 1 October 1962 as warship|ARM|General Felipe Xicotencatl|C-53. She was sunk in 1999 off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico.

Awards

"Scuffle" received 5 battle stars for her 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/s7/scuffle.htm
title= "Scuffle"
work= DANFS
publisher= U.S. Naval Historical Center
*cite web | accessdate= 2008-02-18
url= http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02298.htm
title= "Scuffle"
work= Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive | publisher= NavSource Online