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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Shasta (AE-6)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Alpha - Zulu - Whiskey
NAZW

JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Mainyard (Q)uebec - Section 6A of JANAP 119(F) 1968
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive - February 1945, Iwo Jima) - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (5) - World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia or Europe Clasp) - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Lebanon, Persian Gulf)
Fourth Row - Vietnam Service Medal (2) - Philippines Liberation Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal


Lassen Class Ammunition Ship:
  • Laid down, 12 August 1940, as a Maritime Commission type (C2 Cargo) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 125) at Tampa Shipbuilding Corp., Tampa, FL.
  • Launched, 9 July 1941
  • Acquired by the US Navy from the Maritime Commission, 16 April 1941
  • Commissioned USS Shasta (AE-6), 20 January 1942, CAPT. Francis A. Smith, USN in command
  • During World War II USS Shasta was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Saipan, 14 to 20 July 1944
    Okinawa Gunto operation
    5tth and 3rd Fleet raids in support of Okinawa operation, 16 March to 11 June 1945
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 24 March to 30 June 1945
    Western Caroline Islands operation
    Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, 6 September to 14 October 1944
    3d Fleet operations against Japan, 10 July to 3 August 1945
    Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 15 February to 2 March 1945 1945
     

  • Following World War II USS Shasta was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from 2 September to 20 October 1945
  • Decommissioned, 10 August 1946, at San Diego, CA.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group
  • Recommissioned, 15 July 1953
  • USS Shasta was assigned to Occupation service in Europe from 18 January to 16 May 1955
  • During the Vietnam War USS Shasta participated in the following campaigns:

    Vietnam War
    Campaigns and Dates Campaigns and Dates
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II
    4 to 23 November 1966
    2 to 24 December 1966
    11 to 22 January 1967
    10 and 15 to 28 February 1967
    12 to 27 March 1967
    5 to 16 April 1967
    23 and 24 April 1967
    Vietnam Ceasefire
    28 January 1973

  • Decommissioned, date unknown, at NAB Little Creek, VA. in 1969
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1969
  • USS Shasta earned five battle stars for World War II service and two campaign stars and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation for Vietnam War service
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping to Isaac Valera, Revalorizacionde Materials, SA, Madrid, Spain
    Specifications:
    Displacement 6.350 t.(lt) 14,225 t.(fl)
    Length 459'
    Beam 63'
    Draft 25' 11"
    Speed 15.3 kts. (trial)
    Complement
    Officers 21
    Enlisted 260
    Largest Boom Capacity 30 t.
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount
    four single 3"/50 cal gun mounts
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    eight twin 20mm AA gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity 5,450 DWT
    non-refrigerated 415,000 Cu ft.
    Fuel Capacity Diesel - 8,430 Bbls
    Propulsion
    two Nordberg Diesel TSM219 engine
    single Falk Main Reduction Gear
    Ship's Service Generators
    four Diesel-drive 360Kw 120V/240V D.C.
    two Diesel-drive 50Kw 450V A.C.
    single shaft, 6,000shp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Shasta
    09050635
    53k Shasta (AE-6) sponsor Mrs. Spressard Holland, wife of the Governor of Florida, christens the ship, 9 July 1941, at Tampa Shipbuilding Corp., Tampa, FL. Dale Hargrave
    Shasta
    19-N-91344
    58k USS Shasta (AE-6) off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 26 October 1943.
    U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo # 19-N-91344 and unnumbered., US Navy Bureau of Ships photos now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.
    Robert Hurst
    Shasta
    unnumbered
    91k
    Shasta 117k Aft plan view of USS Shasta (AE-6) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 10 January 1945. The ex-Tamalpais (auto ferry) servicing as YHB-21 during World War II is at left.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 298-45.
    Darryl Baker
    Shasta 100k Forward plan view of USS Shasta (AE-6) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 10 January 1945. YHB-21, the ex auto ferry Tamalpais, four berthing barges and YHB-2, ex auto ferry Port of Stockton, are moored across from Shasta.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 300-45.
    Darryl Baker
    Shasta 68k Stern view of USS Shasta (AE-6) off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 11 January 1945.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 363-45.
    Darryl Baker
    Shasta 64k Broadside view of USS Shasta (AE-6) at anchor off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 11 January 1945.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 365-45.
    Darryl Baker
    Shasta 67k Bow on view of USS Shasta (AE-6) at anchor off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 11 January 1945.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 367-45.
    Darryl Baker
    Shasta
    09050636
    126k National ensign flown aboard USS Shasta (AE-6) during the Battle for Iwo Jima in 1945. Shasta was part of the task force sent to invade the Japanese-held island of Iwo Jima in early 1945. During the battle, she supported the operations of the gunfire support force by delivering ammunition to ships that were in turn supporting the Marines ashore. In this capacity, she came under fire by Japanese shore batteries. Her flag was replaced on or shortly after 2 March 1945. The ship’s supply officer, LTjg. William Helscher, placed the flag in storage but later discovered it among his belongings. He donated the flag to the Naval Historical Center, the forerunner to the Naval History and Heritage Command, some 55 years later. Helscher explained in his own words what the flag meant to him: Donating it “in the name of the officers and enlisted men who served aboard the Shasta in World War II in the Pacific, my hope is that it can serve as a testimonial to the honor and courage and to the horror and sacrifice that was Iwo Jima.”
    U.S Naval History and Heritage Command Acession # NHHC 2000-26-1
    NHHC
    Shasta 159k USS Shasta (AE-6) rearming USS Vicksburg (CL-86) while underway, circa March to May 1945. USS Vicksburg was a unit of TG38.1/58.1.
    Photo by Ray Rabreau and Walt Lansky. Courtesy of Frank Romano and Jeff Herne.
    John Chiquoine
    Shasta 90k USS Shasta (AE-6) under way, probably in the early or mid-1950s.
    US. Navy photo # USN 1044022, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command, courtesy Shipscribe.com.
    Robert Hurst
    Shasta 123k USS Intrepid (CVA-11) prepares to reprovision, 22 September 1957, from USS Shasta (AE-6) in the North Atlantic near the Arctic circle while on NATO maneuvers.
    US Navy photo.
    Andy Faltum
    Shasta 36k USS Shasta (AE-6) at anchor, circa 1958, location unknown.
    Navy photo from "Jane's Fighting Ships" 1958-59 Edition
    Robert Hurst
    Shasta 328k Aerial view of USS Shasta (AE-6) and USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), April-May 1962
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1962.
    Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Shasta 377k Aerial view of USS Shasta (AE-6) steaming alongside USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), 5 April 1962
    US National Archives Photo # USN 1063048 a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta 170k Aerial view of USS Shasta (AE-6) steaming alongside USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), 2 May 1962
    US Navy photo.
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta 86k USS Shasta (AE-6) at anchor in Hampton Roads, VA., July 1964 © Richard Leonhardt
    Shasta 62k USS Shasta (AE-6) passing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Hampton Roads in 1965.
    US Navy photo
    Michael Boyd for his father F.M. Boyd SF1 USN USS Shasta 1954-55
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11477-8-65
    243k USS Shasta (AE-6) tying up at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, VA., 10 August 1965
    US Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. Photo #'s DAP-11477-8-65, DAP-11476-8-65 and DAP-11476-8-65 by PH1 M. R. Guy.
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11476-8-65
    314k
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11475-8-65
    246k
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11497-8-65
    342k Port bow, port quarter and starboard bow views of USS Shasta (AE-6) under way in Hampton Roads, VA., 13 August 1965.
    US Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. Photo # DAP-11497-8-65, DAP-11502-8-65 and DAP-11499-8-65 by PH3 J. S. Stratford
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11502-8-65
    197k
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11499-8-65
    197k
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11501-8-65
    192k Port and Starboard side views of USS Shasta (AE-6) under way in Hampton Roads, VA., 13 August 1965.
    US Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. Photo #'s DAP-11501-8-65 and DAP-11500-8-65 by PH3 J. S. Stratford.
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret.USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11500-8-65
    223k
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11503-8-65
    329k Overhead bow on and stern views of USS Shasta (AE-6) under way in Hampton Roads, VA., 13 August 1965.
    US Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. Photo #'s DAP-11503-8-65 and DAP-11398-8-65 by PH3 J. S. Stratford.
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret.USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta
    NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11498-8-65
    447k
    Shasta
    USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) # CVA42-8454-12-66
    261k USS Shasta (AE-6) rearms USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin, 12 December 1966.
    USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) Photo #'s CVA42-8454-12-66 and # CVA42-8457-12-66 by PH1 J. A. Hendericks
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret.USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta
    USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) # CVA42-8457-12-66
    176k
    Shasta 23k USS Shasta (AE-6) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Shasta 322k USS Shasta (AE-6) at anchor, date an location unknown.
    US Navy photo.
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta 160k USS Shasta (AE-6) entering the harbor at Valletta, Malta in May 1967.
    US Navy photo.
    David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
    Shasta 91k USS Shasta (AE-6) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, October 1969.
    Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.


    For more photos and information about USS Shasta, see:
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
  • AE/AOE Sailors Association

  • Commanding Officers
    01CAPT. Smith, Francis Adams 20 January 1942 - 16 August 1943
    02CDR. Ware, William Lynch16 August 1943 - 14 December 1944
    03LCDR. St. George, William H.14 December 1944 - 24 November 1945
    04LCDR. Young, Del Lord, USN24 November 1945 - 10 August 1946
     Decommissioned10 August 1946 - 15 July 1953
    05CAPT. Gaviglio, Peter Massimo, :RADM15 July 1953 - 21 August 1954
    06CAPT. Kail, Robert Belden21 August 1954 - 23 September 1955
    07CAPT. Hughes Jr., William Christopher :RADM23 September 1955 - 4 August 1956
    08CAPT. Garth, Craig Ransom4 August 1956 - 5 July 1957
    09CAPT. Schmidling, Matthew Stelzner5 July 1957 - 16 July 1958
    10CAPT. White, Donald Morison :RADM16 July 1958 - 4 April 1959
    11CAPT. Brower, Charles M. (Charlie)4 April 1959 - 3 March 1960
    12CAPT. Sullivan, John William3 March 1960 - 3 February 1961
    13CAPT. Isaman, Roy Maurice :RADM3 February 1961 - 4 March 1962
    14CAPT. Tickle, Paul Amos4 March 1962 - 22 March 1963
    15CAPT. Crommelin, Quentin Claiborne 22 March 1963 - 11 March 1964
    16CAPT. Hutchinson, John Leroy11 March 1964 - 27 March 1965
    17CAPT. Graffy, Richard27 March 1965 - 10 August 1966
    18CAPT. Forbes Jr., Bernard Brown (Beetle), USN (USNA 1944) :VADM10 August 1966 - 28 July 1967
    19CAPT. Miller, David Lowry28 July 1967 - 10 January 1969
    20CAPT. Maulden, Hoyt Porter10 January 1969 - 1 July 1969
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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    Last Updated 15 March 2024