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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Kennebec (AO-36)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - India - Golf - Uniform NIGU
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Lilac (N)ovember - Section 6A of JANAP 119(F) 1968

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended)
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Third Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal (2)
Fourth Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam, Korea) - Vietnam Service Medal (7) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Kennebec Class Fleet Oiler

Laid down as SS Corsicana, a Maritime Commission type (T2-SO) tanker hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 142), at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, Sparrows Point, MD.

Launched, 19 April 1941

Acquired by the Navy, 13 January 1942

Commissioned USS Kennebec (AO-36), 4 February 1942, CDR. Stuart S. Reynolds in command

During World War II USS Kennebec was assigned to both the Europe-Africa-Middle East and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters and participated in the following campaign:

Campaign and Dates
Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater
North African Occupation Algeria-Morocco landings, 8 to 11 November 1942

Following World War II USS Kennebec was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

Navy Occupation Service Medal	China Service Medal (extended)
7 September 1945 to 23 March 1946	7 September 1945 to 23 March 1946
3 to 25 May 1946	26 May to 9 July 1946
1 February to 5 March 1947	6 to 7 March 1947
16 April to 5 May 1947
12 to 28 June 1947

Decommissioned, 4 September 1950, at San Diego, CA.

Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet

Recommissioned, 11 January 1951, at Oakland, CA., CDR. A. G. Beckman in command

Decommissioned, 25 September 1954, at San Diego, CA.

Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group

Recommissioned, 14 December 1956, CDR. Naden F. Stimac in command

Decommissioned, 31 October 1957

Struck from the Naval Register, 14 January 1959

Transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet

Reacquired by the Navy and recommissioned, 16 December 1961

During the Vietnam War USS Kennebec participated in the following campaigns:

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Advisory Campaign 3 to 10 August 1964 13 to 30 August 1964 10 to 15 September 1964 19 to 21 September 1964	Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase III 24 June to 4 July 1967 9 to 16 and 22 to 29 July 1967 3 to 16 August 1967
Vietnam Defense 25 to 29 September 1965 7 to 10 and 20 to 26 October1965 30 October to 11 November 1965 23 to 27 November 1965 8 to 15 December 1965	Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV 7 to 15 April 1968 26 April to 5 May 1968 11 to 20 and 25 to 28 May 1968 3 to 10, 15 to 22 and 30 June 1968
Vietnamese Counteroffensive 31 December 1965 15 to 17 January 1966 2 to 7 and 19 to 25 February 1966 5 to 10 and 22 to 30 March 1966 7 to 11 and 22 to 25 April 1966 30 April to 2 May 1966 6 to 12 and 28 to 29 May 1966	Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V 1 to 07 July 1968 12 to 20 September 1968
Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II 5 to 9 and 18 to 28 February 1967 11 to 19 March 1967 25 March to 3 April 1967 9 to 18 April 1967 5 to 15 May 1967	Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 11 to 18 June 1969 24 June to 1 July 1969 11 to 20 July 1969 7 to 16 and 21 to 27 August 1969 3 to 8 and 22 to 28 September 1969

Decommissioned, 29 June 1970, at Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Mare Island, Vallejo, CA.

Struck from the Naval Register, 15 July 1976

USS Kennebec earned one battle star for World War II service, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with seven campaign stars for Vietnam War service

Transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet

Final Disposition, sold by MARAD for non-transportation use, 6 April 1982, to Levin Metals Corporation for $180,077.00 and subsequently scrapped.

Specifications:
Displacement 6,013 t.(lt) 22,380 t.(fl)
Length 501' 5"
Beam 68'
Draft 30' 2"
Speed 16.7 kts. (trial)

Complement

Officers - 20

Enlisted - 194

Largest Boom Capacity 7.5 t.

Armament

one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount

four single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mounts

four twin 40mm AA gun mounts

four twin 20mm AA gun mounts

Cargo Capacity

Oil - 109,600 Bbls

Gasoline - 689,000 Gals

Fuel Capacity NSFO - 4,550 Bbls

Propulsion

one Westinghouse geared turbine

two Foster and Wheeler P-type boilers 420psi 720°

double Westinghouse Main Reduction Gear
Ship's Service Generators
one turbo-drive 50Kw 240V D.C.
two turbo-drive 300Kw 240V A.C.

single propeller, 12,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
091903625	202k	*Namesake* Kennebec - The Kennebec River is a 170-mile-long river within the state of Maine. Photo - The Coast Guard cutter *USCGC Tackle* (WYTL-65604)** breaks ice on the Kennebec River near Bath, Maine for flood relief while a local resident skis down the river with his dog. Melting snow drains into the ice-choked river, threatening to flood towns from Gardiner, Maine, to Bath, Maine. Coast Guard cutters break the ice to allow the snowmelt to drain harmlessly into the Atlantic Ocean. (US Coast Guard photo) Map - The course of the Kennebec River map by ©Papayoung	Tommy Trampp
	43k	Artist C.G. Evers painting of *USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** underway during World War II US Navy photo.	Pieter Bakels
	117k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** underway 4 October 1942. Except for more powerful propulsion machinery, the six ships of the Kennebec (AO-36) class were built to the same successful design as SS Mobilube, later *YO-164. US Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo No. 80-G-14108* courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
091903624	287k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36) was diverted from other duty to refuel USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) and her TG22.3 hunter-killer group on 8 June 1944. At that time they were covering the retirement of captured U-505**. US Navy photo<	John Chiquoine
	106k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** departs Norfolk Navy Yard, 24 July 1944. Note the radar antenna on the mast and the raised gun platforms on the aft deck house with their new 40 mm guns. These changes became commonplace for all oilers in the last two years of the war. US National Archives photo from "Gray Steel and Black Oil: Fast Tankers and Replenishment at Sea in the U.S. Navy 1912-1992", by Thomas Wildenburg	Robert Hurst
	40k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** departs Norfolk Navy Yard, 24 July 1944 with an upgraded armament including four 40mm twin AA mounts. US Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # Unknown, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
091903628	210k	Overhead view of *USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** underway, date and location unknown. U.S. Navy photo from MARAD	MARAD
091903623	265k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36) refueling USS Hughes (DD-410)** during occupation service off mainland Japan, 4 September 1945. Photo by Chester Bradley USS Hughes	Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
	180k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** under way, circa 1951, location unknown. US Navy photo.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	70k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** at anchor, date and location unknown.	Harvey Golden
091903627	214k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** entering San Francisco Bay ca 1951-54 in MSTS service. Note Angel Island off her port bow. U.S. Navy photo from the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum	Darryl Baker
	90k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36) and USS Mattaponi (AO-41)** moored pierside while being prepared for recommissioning at San Diego in 1956. US Navy photo.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR (Ret)
	108k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** under way, circa 1960s, location unknown. US Navy photo courtesy Shipscribe.com	Richard Miller BMCS USNR (Ret)
	198k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** outbound to sea from San Francisco, CA. in 1963 US Navy photo	Mike Smolinski
	115k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36) coming alongside USS Bonhomme Richard (CVA-31)*, 16 September 1963, off the U.S. West Coast. US Navy photo # 1086796*	Photo - Richard Miller BMCS USNR (Ret) Caption - Robert Hurst, courtesy Shipscribe.com
	128k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** under way, circa 1963, location unknown. US Navy photo	Richard Miller BMCS USNR (Ret)
	46k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36) refueling USS Sanctuary (AH-17)** off the coast of Vietnam, circa 1966-1968.	Photo by LCDR George E. Pillow Jr., USN CO USS Kretchmer (DER-329)
	130k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36) moored in the background at Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippines Islands in 1967 as the eight-inch gun tubes for USS Canberra (CAG-2)** are being replaced by shipyard personnel. US Navy photo USN 1142872	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	312k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36) alongside USS Hancock (CVA-19)** off the coast of Japan in March 1967.	Photo by Charles "Bud" Dehnert USS Hancock
	95k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** under way two days out of Yokosuka, Japan, 22 April 1969	© Richard Leonhardt
	103k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Courtesy Dick Hawkins USS Kennebec (AO 36) web site
	71k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Chet Morris
	109k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** under way, date and location unknown. Photo from USS Kennebec Association web site	Richard Miler BMCS USNR (Ret)
	71k	*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** under way off Vietnam in 1967.	Richard Miler BMCS USNR (Ret)
		Pacific Stars and Stripes article "Navy Ship Thrives on Crisis", 21 May 1968 issue.	Richard Miler BMCS USNR (Ret)
	127k	Ex-*USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** laid up in reserve at the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA. in November 1981. Photo from "Merchant Ships of World War II: A Post War Album 1" by Victor Young.	Robert Hurst
	269k	Model of *USS Kennebec* (AO-36)** by the Lindberg Line.	Tommy Trampp

USS Kennebec Additional Ships Patches and Miscellaneous Memorabilia
Contributed by Mike Smolinski	Contributed by Richard Miller	Contributed by Tommy Trampp

For more photos and information about USS Kennebec, see:
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
USS Kennebec (AO 36) Association
MARAD Vessel History Database
Pacific Stars and Stripes, May 21 1968 article "Navy Ship Thrives on Crisis"

Commanding Officers
01	CDR. Reynolds, Stuart Shirley, USN	4 February 1942- 9 December 1943
02	CDR. Mullen Sr., Merritt David, USNR	9 December 1943 - 29 November 1944
03	CDR. Browne, Everett Hale	29 November 1944 - 11 June 1946
04	CDR. McVey, James Bertrand, USN (USNA 1922)	11 June 1946 - 6 August 1946
05	CAPT. Zurmuehlen, Gerald Dale, USN (USNA 1926)	6 August 1946 - April 1947
06	CAPT. Rhoads, Forrest Alexis :RADM	December 1948 - 10 January 1949
07	CAPT. Van Metre, Thaddeus Johnson :RADM	10 January 1949 - 9 July 1950
08	CDR. Geary, John Joseph, USN	9 July 1950 - 4 September 1950
	Decommissioned	04 September 1950 - 11 January 1951
09	CDR. Beckman, Alcorn Gustav	11 January 1951 - 29 June 1951
10	LCDR. Allan Orval Frank	29 June 1951 - 2 January 1953
11	CDR. Huff, George Perry, USN (USNA 1932)	2 January 1953 - 2 April 1953
12	CDR. Parker, John	2 April 1953 - 1 June 1954
13	CDR. Lewis, Joseph Seaman	1 June 1954 - 25 September 1954
	Decommissioned	25 September 1954 - 14 December 1956
14	CDR. Stimac, Hadan Felix John	14 December 1956 - 31 October 1957
	Decommissioned	31 October 1957 - 16 December 1961
15	CAPT. DeLorenzo, Frank Lewis	16 December 1961 - 18 December 1962
16	CAPT. House, William Hiram :RADM	18 December 1962 - 12 December 1963
17	CAPT. DiCori, Ralph	12 December 1963 - 10 December 1964
18	CAPT. Morton, Albert Oakes	10 December 1964 - 27 October 1965
19	CAPT. Almy, Charles Brooks	17 October 1965 - 29 October 1966
20	CAPT. Hunt, Robert Foster	29 October 1966 - 28 October 1967
21	CAPT. Alberta, Edward Thomas	28 October 1967 - 5 May 1969
22	CAPT. Kopps, Richard Lee	5 May 1969 - 29 June 1970


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Fleet Tankers Association
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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Last Updated 12 May 2023