USS Denebola (AF-56)

USS "Denebola" (AF-56) was an "Denebola"-class stores ship acquired by the U.S. Navy. Her task was to carry stores, refrigerated items, and equipment to ships in the fleet, and to remote stations and staging areas.

The second ship to be named "Denebola" by the Navy, "AF-56" was launched 10 June 1944 as "Hibbing Victory" by Oregon Shipbuilding Co., Portland, Oregon; sponsored by Miss J. A. Bush; transferred to the Navy 1 May 1952; converted at New York Naval Shipyard; and commissioned 20 January 1954, Commander S. E. Ramey in command.

Operations

From the completion of her shakedown through June 1960 "Denebola" alternated eight tours of duty with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean with local operations out of Norfolk, Virginia. In addition she participated in NATO exercises in 1957 and 1958 and carried stores to the Caribbean. She served as plane guard for President Dwight D. Eisenhower's plane and on his return from the NATO conference at Paris, in 1957, and during her 1958 Mediterranean tour she replenished ships patrolling off Beirut in the aftermath of the Lebanon crisis.

Decommissioning

"Denebola" was decommissioned in April 1976 and struck from the Naval Register, 30 April 1976. Final Disposition: sold for scrapping, 1 December 1976, by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service.

Military awards and honors

Her crew was eligible for the following medals and commendations:
* Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
* National Defense Service Medal (2)
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Cuba, 1-Lebanon)

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d3/denebola-ii.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/06/0656.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AF-56 Denebola]