USS Preserver (ARS-8)

USS "Preserver" (ARS-8) was an sclass|Diver|rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for coming to the aid of stricken vessels.

"Preserver" (ARS–8), a salvage ship, was laid down by Basalt Rock Co., Napa, California, 26 October 1942; launched 1 April 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Walter F. LaFranz; and commissioned 11 January 1944, Lt. Comdr. A. T. Ostrander in command.

World War II service

After shakedown out of San Francisco, California, "Preserver" steamed for Pearl Harbor 26 February in company with "PC–1139". The next day she was ordered to come about and to report to Port Director, San Pedro, California, for orders. She was once again underway for Pearl Harbor 5 March, with "YOG–18" in tow. Arriving Pearl Harbor 16 March, she reported for duty with Service Squadron 2.

Saipan operations

Hawaiian operations and yard availability took "Preserver" through April. Steaming for Majuro Atoll 10 May, she arrived two weeks later and commenced salvage operations between Majuro, Eniwetok, and Kwajalein with Service Squadron 10. She was a unit of Capt. S. E. Peck's Service and Salvage Group during the capture of Saipan (15–21 June 1944), providing salvage services off the west coast of that island. When Japanese snipers set off an ammunition dump near the beach at 2100 June 20, "Preserver" sent a fire-fighting party ashore to render assistance. "Preserver" worked at clearing Tanapag Harbor, Saipan 9–23 July. She then worked in the Tinian area. By 12 August she was at Eniwetok, and the next day she steamed for Pearl Harbor, arriving 22 August for upkeep and availability. Repairs kept her at Pearl Harbor until 11 September, when she steamed for Eniwetok, arriving the 28th.

Damaged by a bomb

She was at Seeadler Harbor, Manus, 6 October, and departed five days later for Leyte Gulf. A bomb penetrated her hull 20 October, flooding her motor room and causing loss of power throughout the ship. Battle damage repairs necessitated calls at Hollandia, New Guinea; Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides; and finally at Pearl Harbor from 5 February 1945 through the following July. After final repairs "Preserver" stood out of Pearl Harbor 8 August, bound for Kwajalein Atoll, the Marshalls. She made further calls at Guam and Okinawa, and the second week of October she operated at Wakayama, Honshū, Japan.

After the close of hostilities, "Preserver" participated in salvage operations during the weapons tests at Bikini Atoll, and then decommissioned at San Diego, California, 23 April 1947.

Reactivated during the Korean crisis

She recommissioned at San Diego 1 December 1950, and in January 1951 transferred from the Pacific Ocean to Service Force, Atlantic. She arrived Norfolk, her new home port, 20 February.

Arctic operations

Since assuming duties out of Norfolk, "Preserver" has performed salvage, rescue, and towing assignments along the Atlantic coast. From 1952 through 1962, she deployed annually for Arctic operations which took her to Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia as duty salvage ship. She also assisted in the MSTS resupply missions to Greenland.

Supporting search for the Thresher

In 1962 "Preserver" conducted towing operations to Mayport, Florida, and to Bermuda. She was then assigned to serve in the recovery fleet during the second manned orbital flight. From April through August 1963, she conducted Trieste support operations as the bathyscaph searched the ocean floor for USS|Thresher|SSN-593, lost 10 April. The bathyscaph finally discovered debris that was definitely identified, and the search was concluded 5 September.

Final operations

Further Atlantic Ocean operations were followed by a Mediterranean deployment February–June 1964. In March 1968 "Preserver" pumped out of the bow of Liberian tanker SS|Ocean Eagle a cargo of oil that threatened major pollution of San Juan, Puerto Rico, harbor. She also extinguished a fire aboard British merchant vessel SS|Pizarro 11 April 1968 in San Juan Harbor. She then deployed to the Mediterranean 20 May 1968, returning to Little Creek, Virginia, 2 September. Into 1970 she continued to serve the Fleet as a salvage ship of Service Squadron 8 out of Little Creek, Virginia. In January 1986 was tasked with leading the salvage and recovery efforts of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. During the transit to Port Canaveral the ship recovered the nose piece of the external fuel tank. The Preserver was on station through April 1986. On March 9, 1986, she located the crew compartment and commenced recovery operations for the fallen astronauts. Astronaut James Bagian and Commanding Officer CDR. John Devlin made the initial confirmation dive to verify that the wreckage was in fact the crew compartment. The ship received a Navy Unit Commendation for the operation. She was decommissioned on September 30, 1986, and recommisioned the following year.

Final decommissioning

"Preserver" decommissioned, 7August 1992 and was transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, Virginia, 1 February 1993. On 16 March 1994, she was struck from the Navy Vessel Register. Final Disposition: "Preserver" was moved to Bay Bridge Enterprises yard at Chesapeake, Virginia, 30 November 2005, for dismantling. Note: Bay Bridge was paid a combined $442,640 to dismantle "Preserver" and USS|Marshfield |T-AK-282 (T-AK-282).

Military awards and honors

"Preserver" received three battle stars for World War II service. Her crew was eligible for the following medals and ribbons:
* Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive - 20 October 1944)
* Navy Unit Commendation
* Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3)
* Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (4)
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
* National Defense Service Medal
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2 Dominican Republic)
* Coast Guard Unit Commendation
* Philippines Liberation Medal

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/37/3708.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - ARS-8 Preserver]