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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

AK-96 Sterope

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Kilo - Golf - Victor


USS Sterope (AK-96) was manned by the US Coast Guard during World War II
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal


Crater Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 9 December 1941, as SS James Wilson, a Maritime Commission type (EC2-S-C1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCE hull 183), at Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR.
  • Launched, 22 February 1942
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 27 March 1943
  • Commissioned, USS Sterope (AK-96), 14 May 1943, LCDR. Leo P. Toolin, USCG, in command
  • Converted for Naval service by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., completing shakedown, 10 June 1943
  • During World War II Sterope 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 Guam, July 1944
    Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, May 1945

  • Decommissioned, 16 May 1946, at Pearl Harbor, T.H.
  • Delivered to the Maritime Commission in August 1947, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA., name reverted to SS James Wilson
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 19 November 1947
  • Final Disposition, SS James Wilson was scrapped in 1964 by Union Minerals & Alloys Corp., Oakland, CA.
  • Sterope received two battle stars for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,023 t. (lt) 11,565 t.(fl)
    Length 441' 6"
    Beam 56' 11"
    Draft 28' 4"
    Speed 12 kts.
    Complement 198
    Armament
    one 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two single 40mm AA gun mounts
    six single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Propulsion reciprocating steam engine, single shaft, 1,950shp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    SS James Wilson
    Sterope 100k SS James Wilson launching, 22 February 1942, at Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR. David Nixon
    USS Sterope (AK-96)
    Sterope 59k Sterope (AK-96) unloading cargo onto pontoons at Guadalcanal, 1943
    US Navy photo from DANFS
    Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret

    View the Sterope (AK-96)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office - USS Sterope AK-96
    Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Cargo Ship (AK) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 28 September 2007