USS Castor (AKS-1)

USS "Castor" (AKS-1) was a "Castor"-class general stores issue ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for delivering and disbursing goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.

"Castor" (AKS-1) was launched as SS "Challenger" on 20 May 1939 by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Kearny, New Jersey, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. T. M. Woodward; acquired by the Navy 23 October 1940 and renamed "Castor" six days later; and commissioned 12 March 1941, Commander F. Johnson in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

Clearing Norfolk, Virginia, 6 May 1941, "Castor" arrived at San Diego, California, 20 May to begin a series of cargo voyages to Pearl Harbor. In October, she carried U.S. Marine reinforcements to Johnston Island and Wake Island.

Strafed by Japanese planes at Pearl Harbor

Returning to San Francisco, California, to load explosives, "Castor" arrived in Pearl Harbor three days before the Japanese attack of 7 December 1941. Her guns were quickly brought into action, and while she was repeatedly strafed by enemy planes, she suffered little damage and no casualties in the attack. [http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/wwii/pearl/ph31.htm USS "Castor", Report of Pearl Harbor Attack]

Transporting emergency material after start of war

Until 7 February 1942, "Castor" carried cargo from the U.S. West Coast to aid in the buildup of Pearl Harbor as the nerve center for the Pacific Ocean, then aided in the opening of operations in the critical South Pacific area with cargo runs from San Francisco to bases in New Caledonia, the New Hebrides, the Fijis, and New Zealand. A cargo voyage to Funafuti and Espiritu Santo in November and December 1943 found her carrying essential supplies for the Gilbert Islands invasion.

Supporting invasion forces

From January 1944, her voyages from the west coast were to bases in the Marshall Islands, and after a brief overhaul at Seattle, Washington, "Castor" reported at Manus 18 September for duty with famed task force TF 58. Operating primarily from Manus and Ulithi, she replenished the fast carrier task force at sea thus helping to expedite the smashing series of raids which pushed the Japanese ever westward. The final phase of these operations found the cargo ship acting in support of the assault on Okinawa, off which she operated through May and June 1945. Unscathed by the inferno which kamikaze attacks made of duty off Okinawa, "Castor" sailed for overhaul at San Francisco on 10 July.

End-of-war activity

Between December 1945 and February 1947, "Castor" supplied occupation forces in the Far East, calling at Guam, Saipan, Tsingtao, Hong Kong, and Japanese ports. She was decommissioned and placed in reserve at San Francisco 30 June 1947.

Reactivated during the Korean crisis

With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, "Castor" was recommissioned 24 November 1950, and cleared San Francisco 11 March 1951 for training at Pearl Harbor. She arrived at Sasebo 14 May and from this base supplied ships in the harbors of Inchon and Pusan, Korea, as well as replenishing ships of task force TF 77 at sea.

Dead in the water during a bad storm

Leaving Yokosuka astern 18 March 1952, "Castor" ran into a fierce storm which damaged her engines and left her dead in the water for 22 dangerous hours until she could be towed back to Japan for emergency repairs. She arrived at San Francisco 25 April for overhaul and permanent repairs.

Home port now at Yokosuka

On 9 September 1952, "Castor" returned to Yokosuka, now to be her home port. Since that date and through 1960 she has operated from Yokosuka and occasionally from Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, supporting the ever more important operations of U.S. 7th Fleet, as it carries out its assignment to keep the Taiwan Patrol Force at sea, and in September 1954 took part in the Vietnamese evacuation, Operation Passage to Freedom, off Indo-China. An overhaul at San Francisco early in 1955 fitted her to carry both technical and general stores.

Rescuing survivors afloat in a typhoon

While bound for Subic Bay on 19 October 1956, "Castor" fought her way unscathed through a furious typhoon, and next day received a distress message from the Philippine merchantman SS "Lepus". With the aid of search planes, "Castor" located and rescued 11 survivors of the stricken ship. This rescue won a citation and plaque for "Castor" from Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay.

Vietnam operations

No data available.

Military awards and honors

"Castor" received three battle stars for World War II service:
* Pearl Harbor
* Gilbert Islands operation
* Okinawa Gunto operationShe received two for Korean War service:
* Communist China Spring Offensive
* UN Summer-Fall OffensiveDuring the Vietnam War she earned the following campaign stars:
* Vietnam Defense
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase III
* Tet Counteroffensive
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IVHer crew was eligible for the following medals and campaign ribbons:
* Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive)
* China Service Medal (extended)
* American Defense Campaign Medal
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (3)
* World War II Victory Medal
* Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
* National Defense Service Medal (2)
* Korean Service Medal (2)
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2 Taiwan Straits, 32 Quemoy-Matsu, 11 Vietnam)
* Vietnam Service Medal (6)
* United Nations Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
* Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/16/1601.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AKS-1 Castor]