USS Luiseno (ATF-156)

The USS "Luiseno" (ATF-156) was an sclass|Abnaki|fleet ocean tug built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after the Luiseño peoples (the southernmost division of the Shoshone Indians of California, who received their name from Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the most important Spanish mission in their territory), she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

"Luiseno" was laid down 7 November 1944 by the Charleston Shipbuilding & Drydock Company of Charleston, South Carolina; launched 17 March 1945; sponsored by Mrs. William J. Roth, Jr.; and commissioned 16 June 1945 with Lieutenant William O. Talley in command. After shakedown, "Luiseno" operated out of Norfolk, Virginia and Boston before sailing for Florida 28 July. For the rest of the year she performed salvage and target towing services in the Florida/Cuba area. During the summer of 1946 the fleet tug made a cruise to Bremerhaven, Germany to tow a 350-ton crane to Cristóbal in the Canal Zone, arriving there 20 September. From 1946 "Luiseno" performed miscellaneous duties including target towing, salvage operations, and other vital services, along the east coast, in the Caribbean and from her home port, Newport, Rhode Island. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October, 1962 she operated out of the Guantanamo Naval Base, ready to perform any duty for which she would be called. "Luiseno" removed aircraft wreckage from the Palomares Hydrogen Bombs Incident for dumping in the Atlantic. [Melson, June 1967, p.36]

Despite the lack of fanfare, the accomplishments of this fleet tug contribute significantly to the strength of the world's mightiest fleet. Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 July 1975, "Luiseno" was subsequently transferred to Argentina under terms of the Security Assistance Program and renamed ARA "Francisco De Curruchaga" (A3). Her final fate is unknown.

"Luiseno" received the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal (2-Cuba), American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Cuba).

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* cite web|title=ATF-156 "Luiseno"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/39/39156.htm|accessdate=August 3|accessyear=2007
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