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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 85
    Armament
    one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Propulsion diesel-electric, four General Motors 12-278A diesel main engines driving four General Electric generators and three General Motors 3-268A auxiliary services engines, single screw, 3,600shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Arapaho (AT-68)
    Arapaho 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
    Arapaho 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
    Arapaho 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)
    Arapaho 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
    Arapaho 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
    View the Arapaho(ATF-68)
    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 Fleet Tug (AT) Photo Index Back To The Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF) 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 11 April 2008