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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

AO-42 Monongahela

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - India - Victor - Charlie
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive, 16 April 1945)
Second Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (10)
Second Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Korean Service Medal (2) - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)
Mattaponi Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down in 1942, for Keystone Tankship Corp. as SS Elkay, a Maritime Commission type (T2-A-MC-K) tanker hull under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 158) at Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Chester, PA.
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 31 July 1942
  • Launched (date unknown)
  • Commissioned USS Monongahela (AO-42), 11 September 1942, at Norfolk, VA., CAPT. Thomas H. Bell in command
  • During World War II Monongahela was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
  • Decommissioned, 9 June 1950, at San Diego, CA.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group
  • Recommissioned, 9 January 1951 and assigned to MSTS
  • During the Korean War Monongahela participated in the following campaigns:
    Korean War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    First UN Counter Offensive, 19 TO 20 March 1951 Communist China Spring Offensive, 24 to 27 May 1951

  • Decommissioned, 9 June 1955, at Philadelphia, PA.
  • Placed in service with the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as USNS Monongahela (T-AO-42), 28 December 1956
  • Placed out of service, 22 August 1957
  • Laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX., 13 September 1957
  • Custody transferred to the Maritime Commission, 10 December 1958
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 February 1959
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 25 March 1982, to Eckhard and Co., Brownsville, TX.
  • Monongahela received ten battle stars for World War II service and two battle stars for Korean War service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 6,809 t.(lt) 21,450 t.(fl)
    Length 520'
    Beam 68'
    Draft 30' 6"
    Speed 17 kts.
    Complement 242
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    four single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    four twin 20mm AA gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity 135,000 barrels
    Propulsion geared turbine, single screw, 12,800hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Monongahela 87k Monongahela (AO-42) date and place unknown. The navy harbor tug YTM-721 along with several smaller tugs are assisting Monongahela into or out of her berth, date and location unknown. Monongahela is painted camouflage scheme 32/6AO.
    US Navy photo    		 Ernest "Pops" Schram WT2/c USS Monongahela
    Monongahela 33k Monongahela (AO-42) at anchor, 24 September 1942, place unknown.
    US Navy photo (unclassified)    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    View the Monongahela (AO-42)
    DANFS history entry located on at the US Naval Historical Center
    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 16 November 2007