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During the immediate postwar years Nantahala conducted world-wide refueling and replenishment operations. She deployed to the Far East 28 January 1946 and until returning to Sad Pedro, CA 26 March 1947, she operated from the Marianas and Japan, on the coast of China, the Philippines, and the Malay Peninsula and in addition carried oil from the Middle East to the Far East. Between 12 September and 20 November she cruised from the West Coast to the East Coast via the Middle East and the Suez ; and during the next years she made two deployments to the Mediterranean before returning to the West Coast 23 October 1948. The far-ranging oiler made a seven month deployment to the Far East in 1949. After returning to the West Coast 22 October 1949. She decommissioned at San Diego 1 June 1950 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Steaming in Chesapeake Bay 1964

Nantahala recommissioned at Long Beach 29 December 1950, Commander W. S. Howell in command. Following a five week run to the Far East and back she transited the Panama Canal 3 April and carried fuel to the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. She arrived Boston 19 may and during the next ten months operated along the East Coast and in the Caribbean.

North Atlantic Swells, Summer of 1966

Between 3 March 1952 and 4 October 1961 Nantahala made eight deployments to the Mediterranean where she served with the Mighty 6th Fleet. They varied in duration from three to seven months and encompassed the length and breadth of the Mediterranean. Prepared to replenish whenever called upon, this versatile, hard working oiler provided valuable support for peace keeping operations by the ever-vigilant 6th Fleet. During the Suez Crisis in November, 1956, for instance, she replenished 96 ships while serving as the only fleet oiler in the Eastern Mediterranean. When not deployed with the 6th Fleet, she participated in the US or NATO exercises in the North Atlantic and refueled ships of the Atlantic Fleet while cruising from the coast of Western Europe to the coast of Brazil as well as to the Caribbean and along the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Suda Bay, Crete
The Nantahala takes on fuel at the pier in Suda Bay.

On 20 November 1961 Nantahala departed Norfolk for the Dominican Republic where she supported US ships called in to protect the stability of that Caribbean nation's government from possible overthrow by followers of the late dictator Trujillo. After returning to Norfolk the following month she resumed replenishment duty of the West Indies in January 1962 in preparation for recovery operations following USMC Col. John Glenn's successful suborbital flight in "Friendship 7" on 20 February.

Crossing the Equator September 4 1967

Crossing the Equator September 4 1967
"Pollywogs" make their way to face the Court. Clothes are worn backwards and inside out. The "charges" against them are held in their teeth. On their way to court they must crawl through several canvas chutes filled with garbage and are flogged by "shellbacks" with rag-filled canvas bats.

Crossing the Equator September 4 1967
Kissing the Royal Baby's belly is a must. Of course it is covered with hot sauce and other goodies

During the next year and a half Nantahala operated along the East Coast and in the Caribbean. While serving out of Guantanamo Bay in mid-February 1963, she took part in the search for and tracking of Anzoategui, a Venezuelan freighter which was seized by Cuban-oriented leftists off Santo Domingo. US ships chased the hijacked ship to the coast of Brazil where she was captured by units of the Brazilian Navy. In May Nantahala again replenished ship of the recovery force waiting to pick up Project Mercury Astronaut Commander M. Scott Carpenter, USN, after his orbital flight 24 May.

USS Nantahala Alongside USS Intrepid

Captain Williams' "Texaco Credit Card
Captain C. S. Williams, Jr. would fly this flag whenever the Intrepid was refueling.

Nantahala departed for the Mediterranean 6 August for operations which lasted until late in the year. From 1963 she maintained a pattern of Mediterranean deployments and alternated duty in the 6th Fleet with replenishment cruises and Atlantic Fleet exercises in the Atlantic and the Caribbean.

On July 29, 1967 the USS Forrestal was conducting combat operations off Vietnam when a rocket accidentally fired from an F-4 Phantom on the hanger deck, striking a parked and armed A-4 Skyhawk. 134 men lost their lives and 64 more were injured by the ensuing fire.
The Nantahala met and refueled her on her way to Norfolk. These photos show some of the damage from that fire.

Nantahala receive six battle stars for World War II service.

Entering Valletta, Malta 1970

The above is from Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History Division.

Mediterranean Sea, Nantahala (AO-60) refueling Steinaker (DD-863). Photo taken from Wallace L Lind (DD-703)

The Nantahala was stricken July 2, 1973 and used as a storage vessel at Norfolk, VA. She was disposed of by MARAD sale March 5, 1975.

Additional Sources:

www.junkyardartist.com
www.usmcweb.com
www.navsource.org

Memories of World War II

In thinking about my time aboard the Nantahala I came up with the highlights which meant a lot to me. They include:

The trip through the Panama Canal on our way to the Pacific.
The torpedoing of the USS Mississinewa at Ulithi Harbor on November 20, 1944. The ship was next to us when this happened.
The typhoon in the South China Sea. We fueled 17 ships the day before the typhoon hit.
Collision with the USS Guadalupe AO-32 in the South China Sea November 12, 1945.
Announcement of the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
Declaration of Japan's surrender and subsequent visit to Tokyo Bay.
Flying of the "Homeward Bound" flag and heading to Seattle.
Seeing all the "Welcome Home" signs when we arrived at Seattle.

Frankly, I did get somewhat nostalgic when writing the above items. Like most people, I couldn't wait to get home and discharged although I do have many exciting memories.

Ken Knops

Good morning everyone!

To all our military men and women past and present, military family members, and to our allies who stand beside us
Thank You!

Interesting presentation regarding the USS NANTAHALA.

Sure glad I didn't pull duty on one of those AO's (Fleet Oilers) or AE's (Ammo ships) for that matter. I thought I had pretty good duty on an AD (Destroyer Tender).

A former neighbor served aboard an ammo ship. His chief complaint was they could never moor to a pier. Always had to swing on the hook far removed from the base. Long liberty boat rides to and from the ship. In Subic, the AE's were always swinging on the hook all the way across the bay.

Another former oiler, ex-USS, ex-USNS Pawcatuck (AO-108) is being pulled from the James River "Ghost Fleet" and will be scrapped, according to my local (Norfolk) news this morning. I can remember unrep-ing from that ship.

Took my boat up to the James River fleet Memorial Day weekend. I saw numerous ships I remember from my Naval career (although I didn't serve on any of them). To me, it was kind of sad seeing these grand old ladies just rusting away.