USS Chikaskia (AO-54)
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| History | |
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| Name: | USS Chikaskia |
| Builder: | Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard, Sparrows Point, Maryland |
| Launched: | 2 October 1942 |
| Sponsored by: | Mrs. J. L. Bates |
| Acquired: | 10 January 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 10 November 1943 |
| Decommissioned: | 18 December 1969 |
| Struck: | 1 December 1976 |
| Fate: | Sold for scrap, 26 May 1982 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Cimarron-class oiler |
| Type: | T3-S2-A3 tanker hull |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 553 ft (169 m) |
| Beam: | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Draft: | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Propulsion: | Geared turbines, twin screws, 30,400 shp (22,669 kW) |
| Speed: | 18 knots (21 mph; 33 km/h) |
| Capacity: | 146,000 barrels |
| Complement: | 314 |
| Armament: |
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| Service record | |
| Operations: | World War II, Korean War |
| Awards: |
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USS Chikaskia (AO-54) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served her country primarily in the Pacific Ocean Theatre of Operations, and provided petroleum products where needed to combat ships. For her very dangerous work under combat conditions, she was awarded six battle stars for World War II and one for the Korean War.
Chikaskia was launched 2 October 1942 by Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard, Sparrows Point, Maryland, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. J. L. Bates; acquired by the Navy 10 January 1943; and commissioned 10 November 1943, Commander L. J. Hasse, USNR, in command.
On 15 December 1943 Chikaskia sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, loaded oil at Aruba and arrived at Pearl Harbor 7 January 1944. She joined Task Force 58 at Majuro 4 February and provided logistic support for the fast carrier force's strikes during the occupation of Kwajalein, and on Truk.
Between 7 March and 15 September 1944 Chikaskia operated out of Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides; Purvis Bay, Florida Island; and Manus, Admiralties, bringing vital at-sea replenishment of fuel to the fast carrier task forces and other ships. Departing Manus 18 September 1944 to aid the fast carrier task force engaged in the invasion of the southern Palaus, Chikaskia gave a striking illustration of her capabilities by simultaneously refueling USS Iowa and USS New Jersey 23 September.
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