USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98)

USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98) was an "Cimmeron"-class fleet oiler constructed for the U.S. Navy for use in World War II. She had the dangerous task of supplying fuel and ammunition to ships in ship in, and near, combat area.

"Caloosahatchee" (AO-98) was launched 2 June 1945 by Bethlehem Steel-Sparrows Point Shipyard, Inc., Sparrows Point, Maryland, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. C. L. Andrews; acquired by the Navy 10 October 1945; commissioned the same day, Commander H. R. Livingston, USNR, in command; and reported to Commander, Service Force, Atlantic Fleet.

Post-World War II operations

"Caloosahatchee" cruised off the U.S. East Coast, transporting oil and fueling ships at sea, and made a voyage to Iceland from Norfolk, Virginia, during her first two years of operations. On 14 August 1947, she sailed for her first tour of duty with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, a deployment that marked almost every year of her operations from that time into 1960.

In this era when the U.S. Navy had perfected at-sea replenishment to greatly in crease mobility, flexibility and efficiency, "Caloosahatchee" played a key role in increasing the enormous power for peace represented by the mighty U.S. 6th Fleet.

Among other widespread operations, "Caloosahatchee" participated in NATO Operation Mariner off Greenock, Scotland, from 16 September to 20 October 1953, and provided summer training for future naval officers in midshipman cruises to Le Havre, France, in 1954, and to Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1956. In fall 1957 and again in summer 1958, the oiler sailed with forces calling at ports in England, Scotland, France, and Portugal. "Caloosahatchee's" constant readiness for emergency deployments or other challenges to her operational capability was developed and maintained through training operations along the east coast, and participation in such large-scale Atlantic Fleet exercises as Operation Springboard held in the Caribbean, which operations continued through 1960.

Final decommissioning

"Caloosahatchee" decommissioned, 28 February 1990, and was struck from the Naval Register, 18 July 1994. She was transferred to the Maritime Administration, 18 December 1998, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, Virginia. Final Disposition: she was sold for scrapping to Able UK, Hartlepool, Teeside, England, and removed from the Reserve Fleet, and during October 2003 was under tow to the United Kingdom.

Military awards and honors

Caloosahatchee’s crew were authorized the following medals:
* SecNav Letter of Commendation (1)
* Navy Unit Commendation
* American Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* National Defense Service Medal (2)
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 1-Cuba, 1-Dominican Republic, 1-Grenada)

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/19/19098.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AO-98 Caloosahatchee]
* [http://www.usscaloosahatchee.org Official Website of Caloos Veterans]