USS Grasp (ARS-24)

USS Grasp (ARS-24) was an "Diver"-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels.

"Grasp" (ARS-24) was launched 31 July 1943 by the Basalt Rock Co., Napa, California; sponsored by Mrs. J. B. McDonough; and commissioned 22 August 1944, Lt. Comdr. Jacob F. Lawson, in command.

World War II operations

After fitting out at San Francisco, California, and shakedown along the California coast out of San Diego, California, "Grasp" sailed for the Pacific Ocean, reaching Hawaii 27 October 1944. From Pearl Harbor she headed for combat, reaching Manus, Admiralty Islands, 24 December to prepare for her role in the upcoming Lingayen Gulf operations. Joining the battle group, under the overall command of Admiral T. C. Kincaid, "Grasp" sailed for the Philippines 1 January 1945.

Under attack by kamikaze planes

En route, the ships were attacked by heavy concentrations of Japanese aircraft, including the suicidal kamikazes. Overcoming all attacks, in which "Grasp" shot down one plane and assisted against others, the fleet forced its way deep into enemy waters and landed General Douglas MacArthur's troops at Lingayen Gulf 9 January. "Grasp" was there to assist battle damaged ships, and clear the harbor of sunken craft. In addition to aiding USS|Warhawk|AP-168|2 (AP-168) and "Otis Skinner", damaged by the Japanese, "Grasp" pulled two landing craft off the beaches and salvaged an enemy cargo submarine hazardous to shipping.

Philippine Islands operations

From Lingayen Gulf, "Grasp" sailed to Tacloban Harbor, Philippines, with an injured "APD", USS|Brooks|APD-10|2 (APD-10), in tow. There she joined TG 78 and on 29 January 1945 participated in the initial landings at Zambales Luzon. After helping to make this another of the Fleet's long role of successful amphibious assaults, "Grasp" sailed to Manila Harbor 2 March. As part of the harbor clearance force under Commodore W. A. Sullivan, she remained in the Manila area for over a year. "Grasp" salvaged sunken ships in the harbor and also made emergency repairs to various naval and merchant ships. Departing the Philippines 27 April 1946, she reached San Pedro, California, via Pearl Harbor and Astoria, Oregon, 5 June. "Grasp" decommissioned there 12 December 1946 and was placed in reserve.

Reactivated during the Korean crisis

When the Korean War broke, ships again immediately became in short supply. "Grasp" recommissioned at San Diego, California, 10 October 1950 and prepared for combat. Reaching Sasebo, Japan, via Pearl Harbor 12 February 1951, "Grasp" at once proceeded on to Wonsan, Korea, for salvage and patrol work. As she patrolled the coast between Wonsan and Sondin, both under blockade and siege by the Fleet, "Grasp" came frequently under fire from Communist North Korean shore batteries, but was never hit.

Rescuing downed pilots

The two Korean ports were under siege with daily bombardment and minesweeping because of their value as a ditching place for pilots who could not make it back to the carriers steaming off the coast. With the heavy sea protection these pilots could ditch at Wonsan with some confidence of rescue. After 2 months on the line off Korea, "Grasp" returned to Sasebo 15 April to continue repair work on damaged ships.

Final Korean patrol operations

After two more cruises along the Korean coast, interspersed with repair work in Japan, "Grasp" returned to Pearl Harbor 10 October and remained there until sailing for the States 29 January 1952. After quick repairs at San Diego, Grasp returned to Pearl Harbor 12 March and from there steamed to Subic Bay, Philippines, for salvage operations. She reach Sasebo again via Pearl Harbor 16 August and immediately returned to her duties of a month of patrol and rescue work along the Korean coast followed by a month of salvage and repair work in Japan. Returning to San Diego 22 May 1953 for local operations and repair work, "Grasp" sailed to Pearl Harbor 19 July and was there when the armistice came 27 July.

Post-Korean War operations

Despite the termination of open warfare Korea was to remain an important port of call for "Grasp" as the salvage ship's peacetime duties settled into a pattern of yearly WestPac cruises out of Pearl Harbor intermixed with local operations and salvage work out of the Hawaiian port. As she sailed each year to join the U.S. 7th Fleet in its massive peacekeeping and patrol work in the western Pacific, "Grasp" visited such Asian ports as Yokosuka, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Manila, Okinawa, and Eniwetok. America's participation in the struggle against communism in Vietnam added Saigon to this list in 1963. And "Grasp" was also at Johnston Island in the spring of 1962 in connection with nuclear weapons tests being conducted there.

Arctic operations

Another break in the pattern came in 1956 and again in 1957 as "Grasp" sailed north to participate in Arctic re-supply and salvage operations in the icy Alaskan waters. Between October 1964 and March 1965 she conducted yet another deployment to the Western Pacific for salvage operations out of the Marianas and the Philippines. After returning to Pearl Harbor in mid-March, she was assigned to salvage and towing duty out of Guam, Marianas. Departing Pearl Harbor 2 November, she reached Guam the 27th. Since that time she has operated out of Guam to the Philippines and Southeast Asian waters and has continued to provide rescue and salvage facilities to ships of the powerful 7th Fleet.

Vietnam War operations

No data available.

Decommissioning

"Grasp" was decommissioned (date unknown) and struck from the Naval Register, 31 March 1978. She was sold to South Korea, 31 March 1978 under the Security Assistance Program. Final disposition: fate unknown.

Military awards and honors

"Grasp" was awarded two battle stars for World War II service, five battle stars for Korean War service, and 5 battle stars for Vietnam service. Her crew was eligible for the following ribbons, commendations and medals:
* Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive)
* Navy Unit Commendation (2)
* Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3)
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
* World War II Victory Medal
* National Defense Service Medal (2)
* Korean Service Medal (5)
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Vietnam, 1-Korea)
* Vietnam Service Medal (5)
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (2)
* 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
* World War II

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/37/3724.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - ARS-24 Grasp]