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Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Waccamaw (T-AOT-109)
ex
 USNS Waccamaw (T-AO-109) (1975 - ?)
USS Waccamaw (AO-109) (1946 - 1975)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Hotel - November - Foxtrot
 NHNF
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2) - National Defense Service Medal (2)
Bottom Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Vietnam Service Medal (1) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Cimmeron Class Fleet Oiler / Jumboized:
  • Laid down, 28 April 1945, as a Maritime Commission type (T3-S2-A3) tanker hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2705), at Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock, Chester, PA.
  • Launched, 20 March 1946
  • Commissioned USS Waccamaw (AO-109), 25 June 1946, CAPT. Guy W. Stringer in command
  • Jumboized, circa 1964-65 at Puget Sound Bridge and Dry Dock Co., Seattle, WA.
  • During the Vietnam War USS Waccamaw participated int the following campaign:
    Vietnam War Campaign
    Campaign and Dates
    Vietnam Ceasefire
    8 to 9 and 17 to 26 July 1972
    4 to 13 August 1972
    21 August to 2 September 1972
    9 to 12 September 1972
    27 September to 2 October 1972
    9 to 13 and 22 to 28 October 1972
    5 to 12 November 1972
    26 November to 19 December 1972
    28 December 1972 to 5 January 1973
  • Decommissioned, 24 February 1975
  • Placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS Waccamaw (T-AO-109) in 1975
  • Reclassified Oil Transporter (AOT-109) (date unknown)
  • Placed out of service, circa 1991
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 11 October 1991
  • Title transfer to MARAD for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA.
  • Sold for scrapping (date unknown) to International Shipbreaking Ltd., Brownsville, TX.
  • Withdrawn from the Maritime Administrations Reserve Fleet, 11 October 2005
  • Final Disposition, scrapped at Brownsville, TX.
  • Waccamaw received one campaign star for Vietnam War service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,236 t.(lt), 25,440 t.(fl)
    Length 553'
    Beam 75'
    Draft 32'
    Speed 18 kts.
    Complement 314
    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 146,000 barrels
    Propulsion geared turbines, twin screws, 30,400hp
    Jumboized Specifications:
    Displacement 12,840 t.(lt), 33,987 t.(fl)
    Length 644"
    Draft 34' 9"
    Armament MSC - none
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Waccamaw (AO-109)
    Waccamaw 34k USS Waccamaw (AO-109) underway in Grand Harbour Valetta, Malta, circa 1953. Robert Hurst
    Waccamaw 80k USS Waccamaw (AO-109), off Newport R.I., 16 November 1954.
    © Atlantic Fleet Sales, Norfolk, VA. photo    		 Bud Liptak
    Waccamaw 82k USS Waccamaw (AO-109), off Newport R.I., 16 November 1954.
    © Atlantic Fleet Sales, Norfolk, VA. photo    		 Bud Liptak
    Waccamaw 106k USS Waccamaw (AO-109), in the Mediterranean Sea, 28 July 1966.
    Photo shows ship after jumboization    		 © Richard Leonhardt
    Waccamaw 79k USS Waccamaw (AO-109) moored at Craney Island Fuel Terminal, Hampton Roads, VA., March 1967. Photo by Bill Guhl USS Waccamaw
    Waccamaw 54k "Mail Call" as a helicopter from HC-4 prepares to land on USS Waccamaw (AO-109)'s flight deck in 1967. Photo by Bill Guhl USS Waccamaw
    Waccamaw 111k USS Waccamaw (AO-109), date and location unknown. Photo taken after jumboization.
    US Navy photo    		 Mike Smolinski
    Waccamaw 79k USS Waccamaw (AO-109), after jumboization, April 1973, location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Bud Liptak
    USNS Waccamaw (T-AO-109)
    Waccamaw 95k USNS Waccamaw (T-AO-109), after jumboization, 17 October 1984, location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Bud Liptak
    Additional Waccamaw Patches
    Waccamaw
    Contributed by Mike Smolinski    		 Waccamaw
    Contributed by Mike Smolinski
    View the USS Waccamaw (AO-109)
    History entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information Web Sites
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Waccamaw AO-109 Reunion Page
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Fleet Oiler (AO) Photo Index Back To The Oil Transporter (AOT) Photo Index
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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 27 April 2007