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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

AO-51 Ashtabula

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Zulu - Alpha - Uniform
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons





Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - American Campaign Medal
Second Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (8) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal - Korean Service Medal (4) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (4-Quemoy-Matsu, 9-Vietnam, 1-Korea, 1-Op. Frequent Wind)
Fourth Row - Vietnam Service Medal (8) - Humanitarian Service Medal (1-Frequent Wind, 1-Snowgo, New York) - Philippines Liberation Medal
Fifth Row - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)
Cimarron Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down (date unknown) as a Maritime Commission type (T3-S2-A3) tanker hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 717), at Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Shipyard., Inc., Sparrows Point, MD.
  • Launched, 22 May 1943
  • Acquired by the Navy, 7 August 1943
  • Commission USS Ashtabula (AO-51), 7 August 1943, CDR. Louis J. Modave in command
  • Decommissioned, and struck from the Naval Register, 6 September 1991
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal (date unknown)
  • Final Disposition, disposed of as target 15 October 2000
  • Ashtabula was awarded eight battle stars for World War II service, four battle stars for Korean War service, and eight campaign stars for Vietnam War service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,470 t.(lt) 25,450 t.(fl)
    Length 553'
    Beam 75'
    Draft 32' 4"
    Speed 18 kts.
    Complement 19 Officers, 284 Enlisted
    Armament
    four single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mounts
    four single 40mm AA gun mounts
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    eight single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Propulsion four Foster-Wheeler boilers, steam turbines, twin screws. 13,500shp
    Jumboized Specifications Changes:
    Displacement 16,500 t.(lt) 36,500 t.(fl)
    Length 644'
    Complement 20 officers, 350 enlisted
    Armament four single 3"/50 gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity 145,000 barrels
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed By / Source
    Ashtabula 94k Ashtabula (AO-51) refuels Boxer (CV-21) and a destroyer in heavy seas, during operations off the Korean coast. Photo is dated 10 April 1951.
    US National Archives photo # 80-G-435050, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Ashtabula 76k Broadside view of Ashtabula (AO-51) off Mare Island, 30 October 1956. Ashtabula was undergoing repairs at Mare Island from 15 August. to 31 October 1956.
    Mare Island Naval Shipyard photo # 31969-10-56, 10/30/56/    		 Darryl Baker
    Ashtabula 64k Refueling unidentified destroyer off coast of Vietnam, with USCGC Rush (WHEC 723) making approach to starboard. circa 1970s Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    USCGC Rush web site
    Ashtabula 296k Ashtabula (AO-51) after Jumboization, 1968 Ed Benningfield GMG1 USNR Ret, USS Ashtabula 1968-70
    Ashtabula 104k Ashtabula (AO-51) underway at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI., date unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, February 1981 issue/    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    CVA-14 Ticonderoga 108k Ashtabula (AO-51) refuels Ticonderoga (CVA-14) refueling while operating off the coast of Vietnam, circa early 1966.
    US Navy photo received for the "All Hands" magazine Editorial Department, 14 February 1966.
    US Navy photo# NH 97487 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.

    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Ashtabula 64k Ex-Ashtabula as target ship. In all, Ashtabula was subjected to eight Harpoon missiles, two standard (SM-2) missiles, three Sea Skua missiles, four bombs from S-3 Vikings, and over 100 rounds of gunfire from 3", 100mm, and 5" guns. Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Ashtabula 64k This 15 October 2000 view shows a close-up of ex-Ashtabula's stern, where a Sea Skua missile scored a hit. The missile was equipped with a penetration warhead, so it exploded inside the ship, causing major internal destruction but leaving relatively little external evidence Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Ashtabula 64k Despite the terrific pounding she suffered from a force of seven US, British and French ships on October 14th, ex Ashtabula remained afloat the next day. She was finally sent to the bottom by demolition charges. The frigate in the background is Thach (FFG 43). Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Ashtabula 64k The last view of Ashtabula, a tough ship by any standards, or a sad commentary on modern day missiles. Frigate in the background is Thach (FFG 43). Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    View the Ashtabula (AO-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
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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 2 March 2007