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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Left Patch Contributed by Mike Smolinski, Right Patch by Tommy Trampp

USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398)
ex
 USS Redbud (AKL-398) (1949 - 1952)
 USCGC Redbud (WLB-398) (1944 - 1949)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

National Defense Service Medal

USCGC Redbud (WLB-398) returned to the Coast Guard and transferred to the Philippines, renamed BRP Kalinga (AG-89)
Redbud Class Light Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 21 July 1943, for the US Coast Guard as a lighthouse tender, at Marine Iron and Shipbuilding, Duluth, MN.
  • Launched, 11 September 1943
  • Commissioned, USCGC Redbud (WLB-398), 2 May 1944
  • Acquired on loan by the US Navy in 1949
  • Classified as a Light Cargo Ship and commissioned USS Redbud (AKL-398), 23 July 1949, LCDR. Francis E. Clark USN in command
  • Decommissioned and assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 28 February 1952
  • Placed in service as USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398)
  • Placed out of service and returned to the US Coast Guard, 10 November 1970
  • Struck from the Naval Register 20 November 1970
  • Transferred to the Philippines, 1 March 1972, renamed BRP Kalinga (AG-89)
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,026 t.
    Length 180'
    Draft 12' (max)
    Beam 37'
    Speed 13.5 kts.(max)
    Propulsion one electric motor, two Westinghouse generators driven by two Cooper-Bessemer GND8 diesel engines, 1200 Shaft Horsepower, single screw
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Redbud (AKL-398)
    Redbud
    091439825    		 223k Aerial view of USS Redbud (AKL-398) underway off Point Loma, California, 4 August 1949.
    U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Identifier (NAID) 6932268, a U.S. Navy Bureau of SHips photo now in the collections of th U.S. National Archives.    		 Robert Hurst
    Redbud 140k USS Redbud (AKL-398) moored pierside at Danish Naval Station Groennedal, Greenland, circa 1949 - 1950.
    Photo Source Arktisk Institut    		 Senior Chief, Erling Baldorf, Royal Danish Navy, retired
    Redbud 151k
    Redbud 79k
    USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398)
    Redbud 168k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398), moored date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Bill Valashinas
    Redbud 83 k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst
    Redbud 57k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Bill Valashinas
    Redbud 31k Artist sketch of USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) Bill Valashinas
    Redbud 93k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398), held immobile by the Arctic ice pack, January 1952. Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Redbud 66k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398), at Hopedale, Labrador, 1954 Paul Coutu with permission
    from Ren L'Ecuyer Pinetree Line web site
    BRP Kalinga (AG-89)
    Redbud
    091439821    		 764k Ex-USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) in Philippines Coast Guard service as BRP Kalinga (AG-89) moored in Manila South Harbor, 26 January 2020. Edison Sy
    Charles Taylor's collection of photos taken in Sondrestrom Fjord, Greenland as USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) and USNS Chatahoochee (T-AOG-82) refuel at Sondrestrom AB Photo Page
    USS / USNS Redbud (AIL-398 / T-AKL-398)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships(DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Clark, Francis Edward, USN23 July 1949 - April 1950
    02LCDR. Menge, Robert Frederick USNApril 1950 - 28 February 1952
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 9 June 2023