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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Grasp (ARS-24)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Juliet - Alpha - November
NJAN
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons





Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive) - Navy Unit Commendation (2)
Second Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3) - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
Third Row - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Korean Service Medal (5)
Fourth Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Vietnam, 1-Korea) - Vietnam Service Medal (5) - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (2)
Fifth Row - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)
Diver Class Rescue and Salvage Ship:
  • Laid down, 27 April 1943, at Basalt Rock Co., Napa, CA.
  • Launched, 31 July 1943
  • Commissioned USS Grasp (ARS-24), 22 August 1944, LCDR. Jacob F. Lawson, in command
  • Decommissioned, 12 December 1946, at Astoria, OR.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Astoria
  • Recommissioned, 10 October 1950, at San Diego, CA.
  • Decommissioned (date unknown)
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 31 March 1978
  • Sold to South Korea, 31 March 1978 under the Security Assistance Program
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
  • USS Grasp earned her first Navy Unit Commendation for service in Salvage, Fire Fighting, and Rescue Unit, Service Force, 7th Fleet - Philippine Islands area, 6 January to 10 January 1945, two battle stars for World War II service, five battle stars for Korean War service, and five campaign stars for Vietnam service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,530 t.(lt) 1,940 t.(lim)
    Length 213' 6"
    Beam 39' 6"
    Draft 14' 4" (lim)
    Speed 14.8 kts.(trial)
    Complement
    Officers 7
    Enlisted 113
    Largest Boom Capacity 10 Tons
    Fuel Capacities
    Diesel Oil - 2,300 Bbls.
    Gasoline - 2,400 Bbls.
    Armament
    one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts, reduced to one single 40mm gun mount, during 1963-64 overhaul
    four .50 cal machine guns, removed during 1963-64 overhaul
    Propulsion
    four Cooper Bessemer GSB-8 diesel-electric engines
    double Fairbanks Morse Main Reduction Gear
    Ships' Service Generators
    two Cooper Bessemers FS-6 Diesel-drive 200Kw 120V D.C.
    one Hull Scott Diesel-drive, 60Kw 120V D.C.
    twin screws, 3,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Grasp 98k USS Grasp (ARS-24) docking/undocking at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI., date unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, May 1955    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Grasp 32k USS Grasp (ARS-24) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Courtesy Jerry Lentz
    via NAFTS
    National Association
    of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Grasp 1237k USS Grasp (ARS-24) (outboard) and USS Safeguard (ARS-25) (inboard) conducting salvage operations of USS Regulus (AF-57) after she ran aground on a reef at Kau I Chau Island off the coast of Hong Kong following the passing of Typhoon Rose on 16-17 August 1971.
    US Navy photo    		 Joseph Colombara USS Abnaki
    Grasp 44k USS Grasp (ARS-24) moored pierside at Naval Station Guam.
    "I think we need a bigger crane!"    		 Photo by Eli Blanco RM3, USS Wandank
    View the USS Grasp (ARS-24)
    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 20 March 2009