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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Arapaho (ATF-68)
ex
USS Arapaho (AT-68) (1943 - 1944)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Uniform - Foxtrot - Oscar
NUFO

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1)
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (3) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

USS Arapaho (ATF-68) was transferred to Argentina and renamed ARA Comandante General Zapiola (A-2)

Navajo Class Fleet Ocean Tug:

Laid down, 8 November 1941, at Charleston Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Charleston, S.C.

Launched, 22 June 1942

Commissioned, USS Arapaho (AT-68), 20 January 1943, LT. E. H. Wootan in command

During World War II USS Arapaho was assigned to the Asiatic-pacific Theater

Reclassified as Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF-68), 15 May 1944

Decommissioned, 15 January 1947

Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group

Struck from the Naval Register, 10 July 1961

Transferred under the Security Assistance Program to Argentina, the same day and renamed ARA Comandante General Zapiola (A-2)

Final Disposition, ran aground 10 January 1976 and declared a total loss

USS Arapaho (ATF-68) earned four battle stars during World War II

Specifications:
Displacement 1,235 t.(lt) 1,674 t.(fl)
Length 205'
Beam 38' 6"
Draft 15' 4"
Speed 16k.5kts.
Complement

Officers 5

Enlisted 80
Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
Armament

one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount

two twin 40mm AA gun mounts two single 20mm AA gun mounts
Propulsion

four General Motors 12-278A Diesel-electric main engines driving four General Electric generators and three General Motors 3-268A auxiliary services engines

single Fairbanks-Morse Main Reduction Gear

Ship's Service Generators

two 100Kw 120V/240V D.C.

one 60Kw 120V/240V D.C.

single propeller, 3,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
USS Arapaho (AT-68)
	38k	Starboard quarter view of *USS Arapaho* (AT-68)** underway on the Cooper River off Navy Yard Charleston, S. C., 5 February 1943. US Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 246-43	Robert Hall
	55k	Starboard broadside view of *USS Arapaho* (AT-68)** underway while passing under the Cooper River Bridge off Navy Yard Charleston, S. C., 5 February 1943. US Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 249-43	Robert Hall
	72k	Stern down view of *USS Arapaho* (AT-68)** underway on the Cooper River off Navy Yard Charleston, S. C., 5 February 1943. US Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 251-43	Robert Hall
ARA Comandante General Zapiola (A-2)
	63k	Hand over and commissioning ceremony (inboard to outboard) *ARA Comandante General Zapiola* (A-2) (ex-USS Arapaho (ATF-68) and ARA Comandante General Irigoyen (A-1) (ex-USS Cahuilla (ATF-152) at Naval Station San Diego, CA., 9 July 1961. Photo courtesy of Ignacio Amendolara and National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors**.	Robert Hurst
	43k	Ex-*USS Arapaho* (ATF-68) seen here in Argentine service as ARA Comandante General Zapiola (A-2)**, circa early 1970s	Submitted by Ignacio Amendolara to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
	57k	*ARA Comandante General Zapiola* (A-2), at Antarctica. Note the crew gathered at the stern. Zapiola** sunk on 10 January 1976. The crew was rescued by the Chilean ship Piloto Pardo (AP-45). Photo taken 11 January 1976.	Eduardo Rivera
	114k	*ARA Comandante General Zapiola* (A-2), at Antarctica after running aground while doing hydrographic research in Morton Strait. After several attempts to pull her off with another ship she was abandoned, 1 January 1976. Photo Casa Amarilla Library, Buenos Aires, courtesy of Ignacio Amendolara and National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors**.	Robert Hurst