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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Aldebaran (AF-10)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Bravo - Charlie - Golf NBCG
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Goat Fish (Z)ulu - 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 - American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet clasp) - China Service Medal (extended)
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal(2) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Lebanon, 2-Vietnam, 1-Cuba)

Aldebaran Class Stores Ship:

Laid down, 28 November 1938, as SS Stag Hound, a Maritime Commission type (C2) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 27) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, VA.

Launched, 21 June 1939

Delivered to Grace Lines, 4 December 1939

Purchased by the Navy from Grace Lines, 22 December 1940 and converted for naval service

Commissioned USS Aldebaran (AF-10), 10 January 1941, CDR. Royal W. Abbott in command

During World War II USS Aldebaran was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

Campaign and Dates	Campaign and Dates
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
Okinawa Gunto operation 5th and 3d Fleet operations in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, 6 May to 11 June 1945	3rd Fleet operations against Japan, 10 July to 3 August 1945

Following World War II USS Aldebaran was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

Navy Occupation Service Medal	China Service Medal (extended)
2 to 10 September 1945	25 December 1945 to 17 January 1946
9 to 22 October 1945	24 May to 4 June 1946
8 to 20 May 1946
6 to 18 June 1946

USS Aldebaran was assigned to Occupation service in Europe for the following periods:

Navy Occupation Service Medal
1949 - 30 May to 17 June, 10 to 29 August, 9 to 28 December
1950 - 10 to 29 March, 31 May to 19 June, 15 August to 2 September
1951 - 16 March to 4 April, 1 to 29 June 18 August to 5 September, 9 to 30 November
1952 - 9 February to 2 June, 10 to 15 July, 2 to 10 December
1953 - 19 March to 1 April, 23 May to 2 June, 14 September to 6 October
1954 - 17 to 29 March, 15 July to 6 August, 8 to 26 October
1955 - 3 May to 10 June

Decommissioned, 28 June 1968, at Norfolk, VA.

Laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA. in October 1968

Struck from the Naval Register, 1 June 1973

USS Aldebaran earned two battle stars for World War II service

Permanent custody assigned to MARAD, 30 June 1969, for disposal

Final Disposition, sold by MARAD, 14 November 1974 to Andy International, Brownsville, TX., for scrapping

Specifications:
Displacement 13,860 t.
Length 459' 3"
Beam 63' 0"
Draft 25' 10" (limiting)
Speed 16.4 kts,

Complement

Officers 17

Enlisted 270

Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.

Cargo Capacity 5,715 DWT

non-refrigerated 191,820 Cu ft.

refrigerated 116,930 Cu. ft.

Armament

one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount

four single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mounts

ten single 20mm AA gun mounts

Fuel Capacities

NSFO 9,000 bbls

Diesel1,780 Bbls

Propulsion

one Newport News Shipbuilding steam turbine

two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers, 450psi 750°

double Westinghouse Maine Reduction gears
Ship's Service Generators
two turbo-drive 250Kw 120V/240V D.C.
one turbo-drive 300Kw 120V/240V D.C.

single propeller, 6,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
09061046	113k	SS Stag Hound fitting out at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA. during her conversion for naval service, 2 October 1939. In the foreground is the soon to be commissioned destroyer Russell (DD-414) fitting out and at the far pier is SS America under construction.	John Chiquoine and Rick Davis
	332k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** officers, 7 June 1941. Notes from William C. Meyer USN: "Late 1940 Naval Reserve mobilized for WWII. I reported for active duty Jan. 1941 as an Ensign with our entire Naval Reserve Unit. Reported to Moore Shipbuilding Co, in Oakland, California, where the S.S. Stag Hound of the Moore McCormick Line was being converted to a Navy supply ship — the USS Aldebaran. Our home port was San Francisco. 1941-1942 [Wm. C. Meyer] Gunnery Officer and Asst. Navigator — USS Aldebaran (AF 10) Pacific: "The Aldebaran was a supply ship operating between San Francisco and Pearl Harbor, carrying primarily food supplies to the Navy in Hawaii. Our Commanding Officer was Royal W. Abbot, USN, a ‘by the book’ disciplinarian. Captain Abbott, when we were underway, was always on the bridge, sitting in a very nice, soft, bridge chair, facing forward. To eliminate blind spots behind him, he had an automobile ‘rear view mirror’ installed on the forward bulkhead which gave him a 360 degree view of the bridge area. If the OOD, the helmsman, or engine order telegrapher were not giving full attention to their respective jobs — BEWARE! — you would quickly hear a roar! In the summer of 1941 we made one trip from San Francisco to Pago Pago, Samoa carrying construction material, 6-inch coastal defense guns and ammunition to fortify the island of Tutuila. This particular trip we ran Darken Ship due to a German raider reportedly roaming the Pacific. We left Pearl Harbor on 1 Dec 1941 and arrived back in San Francisco on the 6th, just missing the devastating attack on 7 Dec 1941. We immediately loaded the ship with ammunition, in lieu of food, since Pearl Harbor and the ships were virtually depleted of ammunition, and headed back to Pearl.” PHOTO: Back Row : Bassett; G. Albamy, Alba[m?]y; LTjg. William M.McCloy, USNR; ENS. William C. Meyer, USNR; ENS.R. W. Michel Jr., USNR; Powell; McComish; ENS, G. W. Simmons Jr. USNR Front Row: CDR. Severain [might be Sarerain?]; Todd; CDR. Royal W. Abbott, CO; ???, Allan Peel [Peal?] Photo courtesy William. C. Meyer collection	Bonnie Meyer
	51k		Bonnie Meyer
	87k	Overhead view of *USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) moored on the North side of Pier 54, San Francisco, CA., which the Navy used as a terminal for combatant ships. Taken from a aerial photo view of USS Mustin (DD-413) and USS Cummings (DD-365), circa 17-21 March 1942. Aldebaran** had activity at the pier and around the harbor until mid-May. US National Archives photo # 80-G-7202, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	Rick Davis and John Chiquoine
	156k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) beyond the USS Enterprise (CV-6) launch at Pearl Harbor, 27 or 28 May, 1942. Aldebaran**'s first supply ferry run from West Coast ports was 17 May and she would return eastbound on the 31st. Photo by Ralph Morse, Life Magazine. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose.	John Chiquoine
19-N-35605	74k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** near Mare Island Navy Yard, 28 September 1942. US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, photo #s 19-N-35605 & 19-N-35607, US Navy Bureau of Ships photos now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
19-N-35607	103k		Robert Hurst
	37k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way, circa 1942-43, location unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	113k	Aft plan view of *USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** at San Francisco, CA., 3 October 1943. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6899-43.	Darryl Baker
	59k	Bow on view of *USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** in San Francisco Bay, 3 October 1943. The unidentified tug alongside appears to be steam powered based on the height of her stack. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6891-43.	Darryl Baker
	86k	Broadside view of *USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** in San Francisco Bay, 3 October 1943. U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM, photo # 19-N-54290, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
	62k	Stern view of *USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** in San Francisco Bay, 3 October 1943. The unidentified tug alongside appears to be steam powered based on height of stack and is likely to be a commercial tug from Crowley Marine's Red Stack Tugs Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6895-43.	Darryl Baker
	104k	Amidships looking forward plan view of *USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** at San Francisco, 3 October 1943. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6897-43.	Darryl Baker
	262k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) re-supplying USS Oakland (CL-95) and USS Bataan (CVL-29)** on the morning of 26 July 1945. TG38.3 ran with the fleet train of TG30.8 all day past dusk. George Silk, Life Magazine, hitched a hop in a USS Ticonderoga Air Group 87 DCap flight to shoot the forces' activity. Used for educational and non-commercial purpose.	John Chiquoine
	60k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way at 2 knots (bow on view) off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 22 April 1946. US Naval Shipyard Puget Sound photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, Seattle Branch.	Tracy White
	54k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way at 2 knots (broad on port bow view) off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 22 April 1946. US Naval Shipyard Puget Sound photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, Seattle Branch.	Tracy White
	58k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way at 2 knots (broad on port beam view) off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 22 April 1946. US Naval Shipyard Puget Sound photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, Seattle Branch.	Tracy White
	51k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way at 2 knots (port stern quarter view) off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 22 April 1946. US Naval Shipyard Puget Sound photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, Seattle Branch.	Tracy White
	59k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way at 2 knots (dead astern view) off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 22 April 1946. US Naval Shipyard Puget Sound photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, Seattle Branch.	Tracy White
	119k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** coming alongside to conduct an underway replenishment (UNREP), circa 1954.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	55k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way, 8 September 1955. Note the superstructure extension added forward of the bridge. US Navy photo # USN 683231 from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
	54k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way, circa August 1960, location unknown. US Navy photo.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	87k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) and USS Intrepid (CVA-11)** during an underway replenishment, circa 1957 - 1962, probably the Mediterranean Sea. US Navy photo	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	136k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) preparing to come alongside USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42)**, 4 June 1963 to conduct an underway replenishment. US Navy photo # USN 10746659, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
	99k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) inboard of USS Fremont (APA-44) at NOB Norfolk, VA., Pier 4, 26 August 1964. Fremont is being assisted into her berth alongside Aldebaran** with the assistance of Okmulgee (YTB-765), forward, and Wapakoneta (YTB-766), aft, 26 August 1964. Photo taken from *USS Multiphen* (AKA-61)** at berth 301	© Richard Leonhardt
	89k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) and USS Sylvania (AFS-2)** conducting underway replenishment exercises at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 25 September 1964, their shakedown cruises. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, January 1965.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	42k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** dry docked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA. 1966.	Ron Reeves
	38k
	44k
	52k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) and USS Fort Mandan (LSD-21) under way, circa 1967 in the Caribbean Sea preparing to commence an UNREP. This photo was taken by Bruce Johnson from an unidentified LPH, possibly USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7)**.	Pete Harlem, Courtesy Bruce Johnson USMC HMM-261
	43k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10) and USS Fort Mandan (LSD-21) under way, circa 1967 in the Caribbean Sea preparing to commence an UNREP. This photo was taken by Bruce Johnson from an unidentified LPH, possibly USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7)**.	Pete Harlem, Courtesy Bruce Johnson USMC HMM-261
	304k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** anchored at Rapallo (Genoa), IT., 13 August 1967.	Photo by Carlo Martinelli
	122k	*USS Aldebaran* (AF-10)** under way, date and location unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	40k		Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.

Inclining Experiments, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Bremerton, WA., 30 March 1946
Contributed by Tracy White

USS Aldebaran (AF-10)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

Commanding Officers
01	CAPT. Abbott, Royal William, USN (USNA 1920)	26 December 1940 - 8 December 1942
02	CAPT. Wyatt, James Louis, USN (USNA 1920)	8 December 1942 - 1 February 1944
03	CAPT. Burgess, Elwood Eclair, USN (USNA 1922)	1 February 1944 - 26 December 1944
04	CDR. Cole, Samuel Lovell Moore, USNR	26 December 1944 - 3 December 1945
05	CDR. DeLaney, Charles James, USNR	3 December 1945 - 9 August 1946
06	CDR. Hodgson Jr., James Thompson, USN	9 August 1946 - August 1947
07	CAPT. Owen, Arthur Edwin USN (USNA 1930)	August 1947 - 21 September 1949
08	CAPT. Wood, Lester Orin, USN (USNA 1931)	21 September 1949 - 22 July 1951
09	CDR. Klinker, Roy Craig, USN (USNA 1935)	22 July 1951 - 10 December 1952
10	CDR. Fey Jr., William Louis, USN (USNA 1937)	10 December 1952 - 1954
11	LCDR. Waller Jr., Thomas Carlyle, USN (USNA 1947)	no dates
12	CDR. Craig, Richard James, USN	1957 - 1958
13	CDR. Pollaty Jr., David Pierce, USN (USNA 1941)	8 October 1958 - 28 September 1959
14	CDR. MacGovern, Robert Newton, USN	29 September 1959 - 1960
15	CDR. Keenan, Joseph Ingram, USN	1960 - 1961
16	CAPT. Davenport, John Boynton, USN (USNA 1941)	28 July 1961 - 6 September 1962
17	CAPT. Davis, Richard James, USN	6 SEptember 1962 - 6 September 1963
18	CAPT. Bryan Jr., George Raymond, USN (USNA 1942)	6 September 1963 - 4 September 1964
19	CAPT. Fly, William Edward, USN (USNA 1942)	4 September 1964 - 11 October 1965
20	CAPT. Blair, Carvel Hall, USN (USNA 1945)	11 October 1965 - 7 October 1966
21	CAPT. Whidden, Wynn Victor, USN (USNA 1944)	7 October 1966 - 30 June 1967
22	CAPT. Patterson, William Howard	30 June 1967 - 17 May 1968
23	LCDR. Worth, Edward Reed, USN (USNA 1953)	17 May 1968 - 28 June 1968


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
MARAD Vessel History Database
Postal Covers related to the ship

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 13 January 2023