USS Chukawan

USS Chukawan (AO-100) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler constructed for the U.S. Navy in the closing days of World War II.

USS Chukawan (AO-100) underway, 1958
History
United States
Name	USS Chukawan
Namesake	Chukawan River in Alaska
Ordered	as T3-S2-A3 tanker hull
Laid down	date unknown
Launched	28 August 1945
Commissioned	22 January 1946
Decommissioned	13 June 1972
Stricken	1 July 1972
Fate	Sold for scrapping, 1 March 1973
General characteristics
Class and type	Cimarron-class fleet oiler
Displacement	7,236 t.(lt) 25,440 t.(fl)
Length	553 ft (169 m)
Beam	75 ft (23 m)
Draft	32 ft (9.8 m)
Propulsion	geared turbines, twin screws, 30,400 hp (22,700 kW)
Speed	18 knots (33 km/h)
Capacity	146,000 barrels (23,200 m3)
Complement	314
Armament	one single 5 in (130 mm)/38 dual-purpose gun mount four single 3 in (76 mm)/50 dual-purpose gun mounts four twin 40 mm AA gun mounts four twin 20 mm AA gun mounts

Career

Chukawan (AO-100) was launched 28 August 1945 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrows Point, Maryland; sponsored by Miss M. McCrea; commissioned 22 January 1946 and reported to the Atlantic Fleet.

From the time of her commissioning through 1963, Chukawan helped give the U.S. Fleet its unique mobility. From her home port at Norfolk, Virginia, she repeatedly sailed to fuel ships operating in exercises along the coast, to transport oil products overseas and to carry oil from producing regions. Among her most important duties were her cruises with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. These deployments occurred in 1947, 1950, 1951–52, 1954, 1955–56, 1957, 1958, and 1960, and were occasions for visits to a variety of Mediterranean ports, as well as participation in various operations.

Chukawan refueling USS Midway and USS John R. Pierce in 1950.

Two of these were of special international significance. The first came in November 1956, upon the outbreak of the Suez Crisis, when she sailed from Norfolk on short notice with a carrier task force assigned to stand by in the eastern Atlantic should American strength in the Mediterranean need enhancement. Her second dramatic incident occurred through her service to 6th Fleet ships during the 1958 Lebanon crisis, when such support as hers made possible the landing of U.S. Marines on the shortest possible notice.

Chukawan was decommissioned, 13 June 1972, at Pier 2, Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia, and she was subsequently struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1972. She was sold for scrapping by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, 1 March 19.

In 1952, Rockabilly musician, Gene Vincent, served on her, later serving a two-week training period on USS Amphion (AR-13).

Military honors and awards

Chukawan's crew members were authorized the following medals:

• Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3)
• American Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• National Defense Service Medal (2)
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Lebanon)

References

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

External links

• Photo gallery of Chukawan at NavSource Naval History
• http://www.aukevisser.nl/t2tanker/id71.htm
• Wildenberg, Thomas (1996). Gray Steel and Black Oil: Fast Tankers and Replenishment at Sea in the U.S. Navy, 1912-1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. Retrieved 2009-04-28.