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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
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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