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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

AK-97 Serpens


USS Serpens (AK-97) 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 (1) - World War II Victory Medal
Crater Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 10 March 1943, as a Maritime Commission type (EC2-S-C1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCE hull 739), at California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA.
  • Launched, 5 April 1943
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 19 April 1943 Commissioned USS Serpens (AK-97), 28 May 1943 with a Coast Guard crew at San Diego, CA
  • Lost due to an explosion while loading depth charges, 29 January 1945, anchored off Lunga Beach, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Serpens earned one battle star for her 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 40mm guns, six 20mm guns
    Propulsion reciprocating steam engine, single shaft, 1,950shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Serpens 17k Serpens (AK-97) moored pierside, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo #NH 89186, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, courtesy William H Davis, 1997    		 Donated by Michael Zumbach for his grandfather LTjg William C. Carber. USS Serpens (AK-97) survivor.
    Serpens 113k Serpens (AK-97)underway, date and place unknown.
    Photo by LTjg William C. Carber USCG    		 Donated by Michael Zumbach for his grandfather LTjg William C. Carber. USS Serpens (AK-97) survivor.
    Serpens 93k Serpens (AK-97) officers, date and place unknown. LTjg William C. Carber is at far left of formation. Donated by Michael Zumbach for his grandfather LTjg William C. Carber. USS Serpens (AK-97) survivor.
    Serpens 36k LTjg Carber and crewmembers aboard Serpens (AK-97), date and place unknown. Donated by Michael Zumbach for his grandfather LTjg William C. Carber. USS Serpens (AK-97) survivor.
    Serpens 22k Reverse side of above photo with LTjg Carber and crewmembers aboard Serpens (AK-97), date and place unknown.
    		 Donated by Michael Zumbach for his grandfather LTjg William C. Carber. USS Serpens (AK-97) survivor.
    View the Serpens (AK-97)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center web site
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    Not Applicable to this Vessel
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Serpens (AKA-97)
    U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office
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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 25 February 2005