USS Arequipa (AF-31)

USS Arequipa (AF-31) was an "Adria"-class stores ship acquired by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. Her task was to carry stores, refrigerated items, and equipment to ships in the fleet, and to remote stations and staging areas.

"Arequipa" was laid down on 17 January 1944 under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2195) by Pennsylvania Shipyards, Inc., at Beaumont, Texas; launched on 4 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. L. Osius; transferred to the Navy on 19 December 1944; towed to Todd Shipyards in Galveston, Texas, for conversion; and commissioned on 14 January 1945, Lt. Ralph E. Deckwa in command.

World War II service

After a brief shakedown in the Gulf of Mexico followed by a short availability, the store ship departed Galveston on 31 January and steamed to Mobile, Alabama, to receive her initial load. She departed the United States on 7 February as part of Service Squadron 9 and shuttled provisions to various ships and shore activities throughout the Pacific Ocean, primarily in the Philippine Islands, the Admiralty Islands, and the Netherlands East Indies.

End-of-war activity

Before the end of October 1945, Arequipa had serviced 905 ships and 41 shore activities and travelled over 35,000 miles. On 19 December, she went into drydock at Manicani Island in Leyte Gulf.

Post-war operations

Following overhaul, "Arequipa" returned to the United States and picked up provisions in San Francisco, California, for delivery to ports throughout the Pacific Islands, Japan, and China. From May 1946 until November 1954, the stores ship delivered supplies, almost without interruption except for periodic repair and overhaul.

Inactivation and decommissioning

"Arequipa" underwent a pre-inactivation overhaul at Pearl Harbor from November 1954 to June 1955 and then steamed to San Diego, California, to join the Pacific Reserve Fleet. She was decommissioned on 25 August 1955, and her name was struck from the Navy list on 1 September 1961. She was sold in December 1972 to Star-Kist Foods, Inc., of Terminal Island, California, for non-transportation use. Fate: unknown.

Military awards and honors

"Arequipa" received one battle star for the Korean War conflict. Her crew was eligible for the following medals:
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
* National Defense Service Medal
* Korean Service Medal (1)
* Philippines Liberation Medal
* United Nations Service Medal
* Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Cargo ship

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/06/0631.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AF-31 Arequipa]