USS Kishwaukee (AOG-9)

USS "Kishwaukee" (AOG-9) was a "Patapsco"-class gasoline tanker acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of transporting gasoline to warships in the fleet, and to remote Navy stations.

"Kishwaukee" had the distinction of being one of the few ships serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and returned home proudly with battle and campaign stars to their credit.

"Kishwaukee" was launched 24 July 1943, by Cargill Shipyard, Savage, Minnesota; sponsored by Mrs. John Shipp; and commissioned 27 May 1944, Francis M. Hill-man, USNR, in command.

World War II service

After shakedown, "Kishwaukee" cleared Norfolk, Virginia, 8 July 1944, and joined the Service Squadron at Pearl Harbor 10 August. She completed a 2-month shuttle among the central Pacific islands before sailing west to support the reconquest of the Philippine Islands. "Kishwaukee" arrived off Leyte late in October and operated as station tanker, fueling ships in the vicinity. She supported the Philippine campaign until she sailed 1 February 1945, for operations in the Palau and Caroline Islands.

Supporting the fleet at Okinawa

Late in March, as the war moved closer to Japan, "Kishwaukee" sailed for the Ryukyus to fuel ships engaged in the invasion of Okinawa. In spite of the constant enemy air raids, the oiler remained as station tanker until after Okinawa had been secured and continued servicing Allied ships in Okinawa until sailing for Japan, arriving Sasebo 22 December. Following 6 months as station tanker in the Far East, "Kishwaukee" cleared Japan 5 July and put into San Pedro, California, 31 July.

Post-war operations

From 1946 to 1950 "Kishwaukee" remained on active service with the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Based at Pearl Harbor she alternated tours in the Far East with cruises among the islands off the South and Central Pacific.

Korean War service

During the Korean conflict, she supplied vital fuel to Pacific Ocean staging areas and operated as a station ship out of Sasebo November through December 1950. Upon cessation of Korean hostilities, "Kishwaukee" resumed fuel shuttles from Pearl Harbor to the Pacific Islands and Alaska.

Post-Korean War activity

During 1954 the oiler unloaded cargo in French Indochina as the war in that country was nearing an end. That August she sailed to Formosa with a supply of aviation gasoline in anticipation of a possible Red Chinese attack on Nationalist held islands in the Formosa Straits. "Kishwaukee" returned Pearl Harbor 17 October and for the next 3 years continued runs between Hawaii and the Marshall Islands before sailing for the U.S. West Coast 10 November 1957. She arrived Astoria, Oregon, 11 December and decommissioned at Seattle, Washington, 2 April 1958. Her name was struck from the Navy List 1 July 1960. "Kishwaukee" remained with the Maritime Administration Reserve Fleet until October 1965, when her name reappeared on the Navy List.

Reactivated during the Vietnam crisis

The ship underwent extensive overhaul at Astoria, Oregon, and recommissioned 1 September 1966. After fitting out, "Kishwaukee" arrived Pearl Harbor, her homeport, 7 October 1966. Following shakedown training, she sailed to the Far East 5 December and arrived, via Guam, at Subic Bay 22 December. The gasoline tanker entered the combat zone the last day of the year and supplied fuel for naval aircraft for strikes against Communist targets ashore. From 2 January 1967 into April she operated out of Da Nang, Vietnam, before departing for Yokosuka, Japan, arriving 30 April. "Kishwaukee" continued on to Pearl Harbor and joined ServRon 5 after her arrival 15 May.

End-of-service activity

"Kishwaukee" was decommissioned on 15 January 1970 at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and laid up at INACTSHIPMAINTFAC West Lock, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On 1 August 1974, she was struck from the Naval Register. She was disposed of by MARAD sale, 1 November 1979, for conversion to a fishing vessel. Final Disposition: scrapped (date unknown).

Military awards and honors

"Kishwaukee" received two battle stars for World War II service:
* Leyte operation
* Okinawa Gunto operationDuring the Vietnam War, she was awarded seven campaign stars:
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase III
* Tet Counteroffensive
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV
* Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VI
* Tet/69 Counteroffensive
* Vietnamese Summer-Fall 1969"Kishwaukee’s" crew was eligible for the following citations, medals and ribbons (shown in order of precedence):
* Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive, Okinawa 1945, Danang 1969)
* China Service Medal (extended)
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
* World War II Victory Medal
* Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
* National Defense Service Medal (2)
* Korean Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal (7)
* Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation
* Philippines Liberation Medal
* 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
* Korean War
* Vietnam War

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/20/2009.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AOG-9 Kishwaukee]