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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

ARS-34 Gear


Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Quebec - Mike - Yankee
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal
Diver Class Rescue and Salvage Ship:
  • Laid down (date unknown) as HMS Pacific Salvor (BARS-4), as part of the Lend-Lease Program at Basalt Rock Co., Napa, CA.
  • Launched, 24 October 1942
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 21 September 1942, renamed Gear
  • Commissioned USS Gear (ARS-34), 24 September 1943, LT. J. F. Simmons in command
  • During World War II Gear (ARS-34) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaigns and Dates Campaigns and Dates
    Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima
    19 February 1945
    		 Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto
    1 April to 15 May 1945

  • Decommissioned, 13 December 1946, at San Pedro, CA.
  • Assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group
  • Withdrawn from the Reserve Fleet and leased, 24 February 1953, to Merritt Chapman Scott Corp.,
  • Returned to US Navy custody (date unknown)
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 30 April 1981
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 1 July 1982, by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service
  • Gear earned two battle stars for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,630 t.
    Length 213' 6"
    Beam 39'
    Draft 14' 4"
    Speed 15 kts.
    Complement 120
    Armament
    four 40mm AA gun mounts
    four .50 cal machine guns
    Propulsion diesel-electric, twin screws, 2,780hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Gear 43k Gear (ARS-34) underway in San Francisco Bay, 7 November 1943. Gear had undergone repairs at General Engineering & Drydock Co., Alameda, CA. under a Mare Island contract from 3 October to 2 November 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7495-43, 11/7/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Gear 70k Gear (ARS-34) underway in San Francisco Bay, 7 November 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7496-43, 11/7/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Gear 52k Gear (ARS-34) underway in San Francisco Bay, 7 November 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7497-43, 11/7/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Gear 186k Gear (ARS-34) underway in San Francisco Bay, 7 November 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7499-43, 11/7/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Gear 89k Gear (ARS-34) moored pierside at General Engineering & Drydock Co., Alameda, CA., 8 November 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7510-43, 11/8/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Competent 160k Gear (ARS-34) moored pierside at General Engineering & Drydock Co., Alameda, CA., 8 November 1943. Note Compentent (AM-316) in the background moored to the ajoining pier.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7511-43, 11/8/43    		 Darryl Baker
    View the Gear (ARS-34)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    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 Rescue and Salvage Ship (ARS) 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 21 September 2007