- USS Azimech (AK-124)
USS "Azimech" (AK-124) was a sclass|Crater|cargo ship commissioned by the
U.S. Navy for service inWorld War II . She was responsible for delivering troops, goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.SS "Mary Patten" was laid down on
21 July 1943 under aMaritime Commission contract (MCE hull 1725) by thePermanente Metals Corp.,Richmond, California ; launched on11 August 1943 ; sponsored by Mrs. Otis A. Kent; acquired by the Navy on7 October 1943 ; renamed "Azimech" and designated AK-124 on11 October 1943 ; converted for naval service atOakland, California , by theMoore Dry Dock Company ; and commissioned on29 October 1943 , Lt. Comdr. E. P. Gaither in command.World War II Pacific Theatre operations
After a brief shakedown, the cargo ship got underway on
11 November forHawaii . AtPearl Harbor , she was assigned for duty toService Squadron 8,U.S. Pacific Fleet . The ship discharged her cargo and then entered thePearl Harbor Navy Yard for an overhaul of her main engines and boilers. "Azimech" was on keelblocks for 16 days, then began loading cargo. She set sail on28 December for theGilbert Islands .Supporting Tarawa operations under fire
"Azimech" reached
Tarawa on8 January 1944 and began unloading her cargo. The process was hampered by frequent enemy air attacks andreefs in thelagoon which permitted the ship to unload only at high tide. "Azimech" made additional stops at Makin andApamama Islands before heading back to Pearl Harbor. After a brief stop in Hawaii, "Azimech" continued on to theU.S. West Coast and moored atSan Pedro, California , on 6 March. Following an availability period atTerminal Island from10 March until9 April , she filled her holds with cargo at Oakland, California, and began the voyage back to Hawaii on26 April .Providing service at Majuro and Eniwetok
On
7 May , "Azimech" sailed from Pearl Harbor with aconvoy bound forMajuro . They reached that naval base on18 May and reported to Service Squadron 10 for duty. The cargo ship lay at anchor in Majuro lagoon, issuing stores to forces ashore, until3 June when she got underway forEniwetok . After serving at thatatoll until24 August , she steamed back to Hawaii; paused for one day at Pearl Harbor; and then pushed on to the U.S. West Coast.Servicing Ulithi and Kossol Roads
The ship reached
San Francisco, California , on13 September to begin reloading operations. While taking on cargo, she also received minor repairs and alterations before heading west again on26 September . After stops at Pearl Harbor and Eniwetok, "Azimech" arrived atUlithi on2 November . She operated there until the 16th and then steamed in company with USS|Compel|AM-162 toKossol Roads . Two days later, the ships reached their destination, and "Azimech" began issuing supplies. On5 December 1944 , the vessel weighed anchor and traveled back to Pearl Harbor via Ulithi and Eniwetok.Overhaul at the Puget Sound Navy Yard
Following the holidays, "Azimech" got underway for
Seattle, Washington , and entered thePuget Sound Navy Yard on16 January 1945 for repairs. On15 February , she began steaming for Eniwetok and reached that atoll on11 March . Following eight days at Ulithi, she set sail for the Ryūkyūs.Supporting Okinawa and Guam
"Azimech" remained anchored off
Kerama Retto from 18 to29 April . On the latter day, she shifted berth toHagushi beach,Okinawa , her base until7 May when she sailed forGuam . The cargo ship began loading cargo there on24 May and did not finish the task until8 June . She then got underway for Ulithi and, on10 June , anchored in that lagoon where she remained for the duration of the war.End-of-war activity
On
23 August , "Azimech" shaped a course for the coast of southernCalifornia . Reaching San Pedro, California, on15 September , the ship unloaded her ammunition and provisions to prepare for a yard period. She sailed again on13 October , bound forNorfolk, Virginia . After transiting thePanama Canal on25 October , "Azimech" reachedHampton Roads on3 November .Post-war decommissioning
She immediately began preparations for deactivation. The cargo ship moved to
Baltimore, Maryland , on21 November for a final yard period and was decommissioned on11 December . Her name was struck from the Navy List on3 January 1946 . She remained in merchant service until sold in 1972 to a firm inSpain for scrapping.Military awards and honors
"Azimech" won one
battle star for her World War II service:
* Okinawa Gunto operation (Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 18 April to7 May 1945 )Her crew was eligible for the following medals:
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
* World War II Victory MedalReferences
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External links
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