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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Diver (ARS-5)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Quebec - Mike - Yankee
NQMY

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Europe clasp)

Diver Class Rescue and Salvage Ship

Laid down, 6 April 1942, at Basalt Rock Co., Napa, CA.

Launched, 19 December 1942

Commissioned USS Diver (ARS-5), 23 October 1943, LT. Alexis T. Terrio in command

During World War II USS Diver was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaign:

Campaign and Dates
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign
Invasion of Normandy, 6 to 25 June 1944 Task Group 122.3 - Salvage and Fire Fighting Group (Wreck Dispersal Vessel)

Following World War II USS Diver was assigned to Occupation service in the European area from 21 June to 22 August 1945

Decommissioned, 27 July 1946, at Orange, TX.

Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group, Orange

Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown

SECNAV authorized sale of ex-Diver, 2 February 1949

Sold, 12 April 1949, delivered to Merritt-Chapman & Scott Corp. for reuse as a salvage vessel, renamed MV Rescue

USS Diver earned one battle star during World War II

Final Disposition, fate unknown

Specifications:
Displacement 1,897 t.
Length 213' 6"
Beam 39'
Draft 14' 8"
Speed 15 kts.

Complement

Officers 7

Enlisted 113

Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.

Armament

two twin 40mm AA gun mounts

four .50 cal. machine guns

Fuel Capacities

Diesel 2,150 Bbls

Gasoline 2,560 Gals

Propulsion

four Cooper Bessemer GSR-8 Diesel-electric engines

single Fairbanks Morse Main Reduction Gears
Ship's Service Generators
two Diesel-drive 200Kw 120V D.C.
one Diesel-drive 60Kw 120V D.C.

twin propellers, 3,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
USS Diver (ARS-5)
	39k	*USS Diver* (ARS-5)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Wayne Boyle
	103k	*USS Diver* (ARS-5) moored alongside a sunken ship blocking piers in Cherbourg Harbor, France. The ship had been sunk by the Germans. Note Divers** twin kingposts, twin booms, and stern anchor. The wooden boat alongside was used to detect magnetic mines. US National Archives, RG-80-G. Photo # 80-G-256076 courtesy Shipscribe.com	Robert Hurst
09370504	89k	*USS Diver* (ARS-5)** "Bridge Gang", Bremen Germany, 20 September 1945. (Ted Kaluza is in top row far right.)	Thomas Kaluza for his father Ted Kaluza RM3/c USS Diver
Commercial Service
	216k	Undated photo of the salvage ship MV Rescue (ex-*USS Diver(ARS-5)* operated in the post-war period by Merritt-Chapman and Scott Co. Photo from "Mud, Muscles and Miracles" by Captain Charles A. Bartholomew, USN, and Commander William I. Milwee, Jr., USN (Ret.)	Robert Hurst

USS Diver (ARS-5)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

Commanding Officers
01	LT. Terrio, Alexis Thomas, USN	23 October 1943 - 24 January 1944
02	LT. Hollyer, Daniel D.	24 January 1944 - 26 July 1945
03	LT. Cheney, Harlan Lon	26 July 1945 - 27 August 1946


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Diver ARS-5
National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 30 October 2020