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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Ponaganset (AO-86)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Juliet - Uniform - Hotel
 NJUH
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - Philippines Liberation Medal
Suamico Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down, 27 April 1942, as a Maritime Commission type (T2-SE-A2) tanker hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC 1265) at Marinship, Sausalito, CA.
  • Launched, 10 July 1943
  • Commissioned USS Ponaganset (AO-86), 15 May 1944, CDR. John Richard Sanford Jr., in command
  • During World War II USS Ponaganset (AO-86) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
  • Decommissioned, 26 April 1946
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 23 April 1947
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal at Norfolk, VA., 15 May 1947
  • Reacquired by the Navy, 2 March 1948
  • Title transferred back to the Maritime Commission, 30 June 1948, at Boston Navy Yard, Boston, MA.
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 7 January 1949, to Northern Metal Co.
  • USS Ponaganset earned 2 battle stars for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 5,782 t.(lt) 22,380 t.(fl)
    Length 523' 6"
    Beam 68'
    Draft 30' 10"
    Speed 15 kts.
    Complement 300
    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 140,000 barrels
    Propulsion turbo-electric, twin propellers, 8,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Ponaganset 109k USS Ponaganset (AO-86) Commissioning Ceremony Program. Robert M. Cieri
    Ponaganset 243k USS Ponaganset (AO-86) at anchor, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo     		David Buell
    Ponaganset 343k USS Ponaganset (AO-86) taking on water at Balusoa Water Point, Samar, P.I., date unknown.
    US Navy photo from DANFS.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    USS Ponaganset (AO-86)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    U.S. Navy Oilers
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Fleet Oiler (AO) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 22 August 2008