TODAY IS
LINCOLN* s
BIRTHDAY
*x-x x a» ::
I
* I
VOLUME VII, Number 7
12 February 1962
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NEW STATION ATF HAS COLORFUL HISTORY AMD FINE RECORD '
Welcome Aboard, US3 AEANAKI (ATF 96) and crew. For Adakians here is a brief
history of the new station ATF which assumed duties here last week*.
The USS ABANAKI (ATF 96) was named for an Indian Tribe inhabiting Maine and
Canada. Launched in April of 1943 under the sponsorship of Mrs. James Mayon Jones
of Henderson, North Carolina, mother of six sons serving in the Navy the AEANAKI
-was placed in commission on 15 November 1943 when LT D. WALLEY, USM.assumed conmand.
During 1944 and 1945 the ship served with various Task Force units, groups and
convoys in the Atlantic and North Atlantic performing towing operations. On 7 June
1944 she took in tow the captured German Submarine U-505 from the GUADACANAL and
steamed with TG 22.3 to Bermuda, arriving there on 19 June.
After a repair period at Norfolk the ABANAKI sailed for the Pacific in April of
|l945.
At Balboa, Canal Zone she was put to work with the Army Dredge' HENRY BACON in
tow for San Diego and then on to Kwajelein Atoll via Pearl Harbor where she disch
arged her tow after arriving on 25 July 1945.
Since 1945 the ABANAKI has continued vital towing, search and rescue and other
services in the Pacific Fleet.
During the Korean War she operated in Service Division 31 from July 1951 to Feb
ruary 1952 furnishing mobile logistic support to Task Forces 72, 77, 90, 95 and 96.
The ABANAKI rates the following awards for her service!
Three Battle Stars for participation in operations in Korea
The Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia)
China Service Medal (Extended)
Korean Presidential Unit Citation Badge
Korean United Nations Service Medal
The career of the ABANAKI has never lacked for color, last year in May, while
serving as a unit of the SEVENTH Fleet the ship culminated three days of difficult
rescue and towing operations with the safe return of the Republic of China Flag
Vessel S. S. HAI SIU to Yokosuka harbor.
The HAI'SIU, loaded with a cargo of Copper Concentrate from the West Coast, was
caught in rough weather which caused her cargo to shift resulting in a 40 degree
list to starboard. The stricken ship was abandoned by her 44 man crew and 10 pass
engers approximately 190 miles east of Tokyo, tho still manned by a gallant master
and mate, when the ABANAKI was called in for service when it was learned that comm
ercial tugs in the area were not available.
In June of last year the ship traveled to Cambodia where at Ream Naval Base they
learned they were the first American Naval Vessel to visit the country.
This surprise was only the first of many pleasant ones the tug crewmen were soon
to discover.' On hand to greet the visiting ship were many high ranking officials of
the Royal Cambodian Navy. Among them was the Chief of Staff Commandante Coedes who
h.ad, generously planned a "Red Carpet'* treatment for the visitiors which caused the
seasoned crew members to remark that this was tho finest treatment they had ever
received while visiting a port. Soon after the first group of men began arriving
ashore they were whisked into buses provided by the Royal Cambodian Army and driven
150 miles over their beautiful Freedom Highway to Phnom Penh the capital city. They
were provided loding at the Sunny hotel and for two days the men were taken on var
ious sightseeing tours which included a tour through the Royal Palace Grounds. To
further insure that the Americans enjoyed their visit, they were provided with guides
and interpreters. .
WELCOME TO ADAK USS ABANAKI (ATF 96) AND CREW