USS Safeguard (ARS-25)

USS "Safeguard" (ARS-25) was an sclass|Escape|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.

"Safeguard" was laid down on 5 June 1943 by the Basalt Rock Co., Napa, California; launched on 20 November 1943; and commissioned on 30 September 1944 at the Southern Pacific Docks, Vallejo, California, Lt. J. F. Simmons in command.

World War II service

Following shakedown out of San Diego, California, "Safeguard" called at San Pedro, California, and San Francisco before commencing the first of many deep water towing operations on 23 December. With "YC-1165" and "YC-1166" in tow, she arrived at Pearl Harbor on 3 January 1945. Escorted by "PC-125Jt" and "SC-1033", she departed Pearl for Eniwetok on the 15th, this time with "ARD-25" in tow. Until 1 March, she operated in the area of Tanapag Harbor.

Post-war activity

"Safeguard" later moved on to the Ryūkyūs. At Okinawa, she conducted at-random salvage operations in the wake of war and typhoons. Although towing operations in Buckner Bay took up much of her time in the months immediately following the end of the war, she also continued salvage work. On 20 November, after continued attempts, she refloated "ARD-21", a typhoon victim, at Nago Wan, Okinawa.

China area operations

Departing the Ryukyus on 28 March 1946 for Shanghai, China, "Safeguard" extended her salvage and towing capabilities to Taku, China, on 13 April and then to Pusan, Korea, and the Amami-O-Shima Islands. Following several months of operations in Chinese and Japanese waters, she towed "YR-68" from Hong Kong to Samar, Philippine Islands, in mid-June. There she added section G of "AFDM-5" to her tow and continued on to Pearl Harbor on 29 July in company with three "YTBs". The 21st of August found her en route to San Francisco for a three-month overhaul at Mare Island, California.

Participating in atomic testing operations

After service in the Aleutians in the spring of 1947, "Safeguard" arrived at Pearl Harbor on 1 July. She then went on to Kwajalein Atoll, the Marshalls, for salvage operations after the nuclear tests held there. The mission involved considerable diving and the inspection of the underwater surfaces of many grounded vessels. "Safeguard" departed Kwajalein on 12 November and headed via Pearl Harbor for San Diego. She decommissioned on 12 December 1947 and entered the San Diego Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Reactivated during the Korean crisis

After the outbreak of war in Korea, "Safeguard" was ordered activated. Recommissioned on 13 February 1952, she proceeded to Pearl Harbor for a post-commissioning overhaul that took her into mid-August. She arrived at Sasebo, Japan, on 3 September 1952 and again commenced salvage and towing operations in Japanese and Korean waters. She delivered urgently needed cargo to USS|Consolation|AH-15 at Inchon on 28 December; and, on 6 January 1953, she stood by USS|Missouri|BB-63 during shore bombardment.

Supporting DEW Line vessels

Between May and December, "Safeguard" underwent overhaul at Pearl Harbor. Following the end of Korean hostilities, she continued to engage in fleet salvage operations and regular WestPac deployments. In the summer of 1955 and 1956, she operated out of Seattle, Washington, provisioning DEW-line outposts.

Vietnam era operations

"Safeguard" relieved USS|Current|ARS-22 on station in the South China Sea off the coast of South Vietnam on 25 August 1964. Interruptions during this duty took her to Subic Bay and Hong Kong. Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 27 October, she conducted local operations through the following summer. She was again en route to WestPac on 17 August 1965 for operations that took her to Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese waters. Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 9 March 1966, "Safeguard" commenced upkeep and mid-Pacific operations. For example, during September and October 1966, she salvaged a 10,000-ton commercial barge which had grounded at Wake Island during a storm. She then towed the barge 2,000 miles to Honolulu. Into 1974, "Safeguard" has continued to provide Fleet support services from her home port of Pearl Harbor and through her regular WestPac deployments.

Decommissioning

"Safeguard" was decommissioned (date unknown) and struck from the Navy Vessel Register, 6 August 1987. She was transferred under the Security Assistance Program, to Turkey, 18 August 1987. Final Disposition: fate unknown.

Military awards and honors

"Safeguard" received one battle star for World War II service:
* Okinawa Gunto operationsDuring the Korean War she was reported to have received the Presidential Unit Citation and five battle stars. Two are shown below:
* Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952
* Third Korean WinterFor service in Vietnam she was reported to have received nine campaign stars. However, ten are noted below:
* Vietnam Defense
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase III
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VI
* Vietnam Winter-Sprint 1970
* Sanctuary Counteroffensive
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII
* Consolidation I
* Vietnamese Ceasefire"Safeguard's" crew was eligible for the following medals, citations, ribbons, and other honors (listed in order of precedence):
* Presidential Unit Citation
* Navy Meritorious Unit Citation
* China Service Medal (extended)
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
* 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-Korea)
* Vietnam Service Medal (10)
* Humanitarian Service Medal (1- Entewaktek Cleanup, 1-Boat People)
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (3)
* 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.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/37/3725.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - ARS-25 Safeguard]