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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

YN-70 / AN-51 Silverbell


USS Silver (AN-51) was transferred to the Republic of China
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Philippines Liberation Medal (1)
Ailanthus Class Net Laying Ship:
  • Laid down, as Yard Net Tender Silverbell (YN-70), 7 November 1942, at Pollock-Stockton Shipbuilding Co., Stockton, CA.
  • Launched, 19 June 1943
  • Redesignated Net Laying Ship (AN-51), 20 January 1944
  • Commissioned USS Silverbell (AN-51), 16 February 1944, Lt. Mark C. Butler, Jr., USNR, in command
  • During World War II Silverbell was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign:
  • Following World War II Silverbell maintained and removed nets in the Philippines until November 1945
  • Decommissioned, 10 January 1947 at Shanghai, China and transferred to Republic of China Maritime Customs Service
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 28 January 1947
  • Silverbell received one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,275 t.
    Length 194' 6"
    Beam 34' 7"
    Draft 11' 8"
    Speed 12 kts.
    Complement 57
    Armament one single 3"/50 gun mount, four twin 20mm gun mounts
    Propulsion diesel electric, 2,500hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Silverbell 76k Silverbell (AN-51) underway, date and place unknown. Courtesy Charles Fitch
    Silverbell 92k Silverbell (AN-51) secured to another ship prior to beginning net laying operations at Manus, Admiralty Island, during June and July 1944. Glen Paulson RM/2c USSAnaqua
    Silverbell 42k Silverbell (AN-51) underway, date and place unknown. Hyperwar US Navy in WWII
    View the Silverbell (AN-51)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center web site
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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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 15 September 2006