USS Valve (ARS-28)

USS Valve (ARS-28) 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.

"Valve" was laid down on 17 November 1942 at Bellingham, Washington, by the Bellingham Marine Railway Co.: launched on 20 May 1943, sponsored by Mrs Henry Foss. and commissioned on 24 February 1944, Lt. W. D. Mooney, USNR, in command.

World War II service

Following shakedown, the salvage ship departed the U.S. West Coast at San Francisco, California, on 18 April 1944 bound for Hawaii with a trio of sled targets in tow, and arrived at Pearl Harbor 12 days later. She remained at the Pacific Fleet's base, operating locally, into the fall. Early in this tour, she assisted in fighting operations on burning "LST's" in West Loch, Pearl Harbor, in the wake of the destructive explosions which eventually sank five of these ships on 21 and 22 May. She spent four hours fighting the blazes before she was ordered to clear the area due to the danger of exploding ammunition carried in the "LST's". On 23 May, she returned to West Loch and extinguished the blaze in the hulk of "LST-480".

Salvage operations at Pearl

"Valve" commenced salvage operations on the sunken "LST-515" on 31 May, her divers making 225 dives in 41 days. She worked on the wreck, removing such items as 15 tons of live ammunition. 10 "LVT's", and a great deal of wreckage, from 31 May to 30 August. At noon on the latter day, she got underway to aid "LCI(G)-366" aground off Wahie Point, Lanai. After pulling the landing craft free, she resumed salvage operations on "LST-585" on 5 September. "Valve" prepared the ship's hulk for blasting by 8 October and with this task completed, sailed for Eniwetok 10 days later. (Note: DANFS appears to be in error on which "LSTs" "Valve" salvaged at West Loch, there is no evidence that either "515" or "585" were involved at West Loch.)

Guam operations

"Valve" served as flagship for the commander of a Guam-bound convoy containing "Bond" (AM-152) and "SC-1036" and three merchantmen from 10 to 14 November, before the ship conducted salvage and clearance operations in Tanapag Harbor. Guam into December 1944. During this period, she salvaged "Sparks" (IX-196) and prepared the hulk of Japanese freighter "Keigo Maru" for sinking at sea.

Saipan operations

After shifting to Saipan soon thereafter to relieve "Anchor" (ARS-13), "Valve" operated out of Saipan on local salvage operations and harbor clearance duties through the end of the year and into the spring of 1945. She departed Saipan for Iwo Jima on 28 May 1945, towing the hulk of Japanese merchantman "Togoto Maru".

Okinawa operations

Next serving on local convoy escort duties between Iwo Jima and Guam, "Valve" shifted to Okinawan waters in July. Between 18 and 31 July, the salvage vessel went to general quarters during 15 "flash-red" alerts while in Okinawan waters.

Operations in Pacific typhoons

She conducted salvage operations in inner Naha harbor at Okinawa into the winter of 1945. When "Colbert" (APA-145) struck a drifting mine while on typhoon evasion on 17 September, "Valve" towed the stricken ship to a safe anchorage in Okinawa. Valve rode out another severe typhoon which swirled its way into the fleet anchorage on 9 October. During the storm "SS Richard S. Oglesby" twice fouled "Valve", and "LST-826" collided with the salvage ship as well. Fortunately, "Valve" suffered only minor damage.

"Valve" subsequently conducted salvage operations on other typhoon damaged ships including "Wateree" (ATF-117), "Sacandaga" (AOG-40), "LST-828", "LST-581" and "Vandalia" (IX-191) through December 1945. The salvage vessel then conducted local salvage and harbor clearance operations at Okinawa into the spring of 1946.

Supporting nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll

In May, she assisted in the preparations at Bikini Atoll for Operation Crossroads before sailing via Pearl Harbor for the west coast.

Decommissioning

Decommissioned on 26 August 1946, "Valve" was struck from the Navy list on 12 March 1948 and sold to Walter H. Wilms on 26 July 1948.

Military awards and honors

"Valve" earned one battle star for World War II service. Her crew was eligible for the following medals:
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
* World War II Victory Medal
* Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/37/3728.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - ARS-28 Valve]