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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Sgt Archer T. Gammon (T-AK-243)
ex
USAT Sgt Archer T. Gammon (1946 - 1950)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Sierra - Mike - Oscar
NSMO
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - National Defense Service Medal
Bottom Row - Korean Service Medal - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal

Boulder Victory Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 13 December 1944, as SS Yale Victory, a Maritime Commission type (VC2-S-AP2) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCV 725), at Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA.
  • Launched, 31 January 1945
  • Delivered to the War Shipping Administration, 24 February 1945, at Richmond, CA., for operation by Olympic Steamship Co.
  • Acquired by the US Army Transportation Service, 18 June 1946
  • Commissioned USAT Sgt Archer T. Gammon, 31 October 1947
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 1 March 1950 and placed in service by MSTS as USNS Sgt Archer T. Gammon (T-AK-243)
  • Placed out of service in the spring of 1973
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 May 1973
  • Custody transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 9 November 1973, for disposal
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 19 November 1973, to Chi Shun Hua Steel Co., Ltd., of Kaohsiung, Taiwan (PD-X-965, dated 9 October 1973)
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,480 t.(lt) 15,580 t.(fl)
    Length 455'
    Beam 62'
    Draft 29' 2"
    Speed 15.5 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 12
    Enlisted 87
    Cargo Capacity 7,800DWT
    non-refrigerated 453,210 Cu ft
    Largest Boom Capacity 50 t.
    Armament
    one single stern mounted single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount
    one single bow mounted 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mount
    eight single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Fuel Capacity NSFO 18,575 Bbls
    Propulsion
    one Westinghouse cross compound steam turbine
    two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers, 525psi 750°
    double Westinghouse Main Reduction Gears
    two turbo-drive 300Kw 120V/240V D.C. Ship's Service Generators
    single propeller, 6,000shp

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    By
    Azimech 65k
    Namesake
    Medal of Honor Citation

    Staff Sergeant Archer T. “John” Gammon, a native of Virginia, was serving with Company A, 9th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division, near Bastogne, Belgium, on 11 January 1945. On that day, he charged through hip-deep snow to demolish an enemy machine gun position and allow his platoon to advance from an open field to nearby woods. As the platoon started its advance, a machine gun supported by riflemen and a Tiger Royal tank opened fire on the unit. Sgt. Gammon rushed forward; cut across the width of his platoon's skirmish line; then, despite intense enemy fire, charged and silenced the automatic weapon and attacked the enemy tank. Advancing to within 25 yards of his objective, he put the enemy on the defensive and forced the tank back a short distance before he was struck and killed by a direct hit from the tank's heavy gun. For his action in clearing the way for his platoon, Sgt. Gammon was awarded, posthumously, the Medal of Honor.
    Photo courtesy of Pittsylvania County, Virginia
    Bill Gonyo
    Azimech 52k USNS Sgt. Archer T. Gammon (T-AK-243) moored pierside, date and location unknown.
    Photo courtesy SSgt. Archer T. “John” Gammon, U. S. Army Photo Album
    Bill Gonyo

    USNS Sgt. Archer T. Gammon (T-AK-243)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    SSgt. Archer T. “John” Gammon, U. S. Army Photo Album

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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 13 April 2018