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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Restorer (ARS-17)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - India - Victor - Kilo
 NIVK
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal

USS Restorer (ARS-17) was transferred to Denmark renamed KDMS Vitus Bering
Anchor Class Rescue and Salvage Ship:
  • Laid down, 25 March 1942, at Snow Shipyards, Inc., Rockland, ME.
  • Launched, 24 October 1942
  • Commissioned USS Restorer (ARS-17), 6 October 1943, LT. C. M. Boyd, USNR, in command
  • During WWII USS Restorer was assigned to Europe-Africa Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaigns:
    Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    West Coast of Italy operations
    Anzio-Nuttuno, 28 February to 1 March 1944     		Invasion of Southern France
    September 1944

  • Decommissioned, 6 March 1946
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 19 July 1946
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission, 22 April 1947 for disposal
  • Sold to Denmark and commissioned into the Royal Danish Navy, 27 February 1948, as KDMS Vitus Bering, at New Orleans, LA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
  • USS Restorer earned two battle stars for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,089 t.(lt) 1,615 t.(fl)
    Length 183' 3"
    Beam 37'
    Draft 14' 8"
    Speed 12 kts.
    Complement 65
    Armament
    one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Propulsion diesel, single propeller
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Restorer 56k USS Restorer (ARS-17) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Ron Titus
    Restorer 126k USS Restorer (ARS-17) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, November 1946.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    View the USS Restorer (ARS-17)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Ship Photo Index Back To The Salvage Ship (ARS) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2009 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 25 May 2007