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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS Chickasaw (ATF-83)
ex
 USS Chickasaw (AT-83) (1943 - 1944)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Whiskey - Lima - Foxtrot
 NWLF
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation - China Service Medal (extended)
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (6) - World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Korean Service Medal (2) - Philippines Presidential Unit Citation
Third Row - Philippines Liberation Medal (2) - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)

USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) was transferred to the Republic of China and renamed ROCS Ta Tung (A-548)
Navajo Class Fleet Tug:
  • Laid down, 14 February 1942, at United Engineering Co., Alameda, CA.
  • Launched, 23 July 1942
  • Commissioned USS Chickasaw (AT-83), 4 February 1943, LTjg. J. F. King in command
  • Redesignated Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF-83), 15 May 1944
  • During WWII USS Chickasaw was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Marshall Islands operation
    Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 31 January to 8 February 1944
    Occupation of Eniwetok Atoll, 17 February to 2 March 1944     		Leyte operation
    Leyte landings, 17 October to 22 November 1944
    Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Saipan, 16 June to 10 August 1944     		Luzon operation
    Lingayen Gulf landings, 9 to 18 January 1945
    Tinian capture and occupation, 24 July to 1 August 1944 Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 10 to 22 June 1945

  • Following World War II Chickasaw performed China Service from 31 October 1947 to 14 March 1948
  • During the Korean War USS Chickasaw participated in the following campaigns:
    Korean War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Third Korean Winter
    4 to 30 April 1953     		Korean, Summer-Fall 1953 Defense Summer-Fall 1952
    1 to 3 May 1953
    26 June to 25 July 1953

  • Decommissioned, 30 June 1965, at Mare Island Naval Ship Yard, Vallejo, CA.
  • Transferred, loaned, to Taiwan, 5 January 1966 and renamed ROCS Ta Tung (A-548)
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 15 April 1976
  • Sold to the Republic of China under the Security Assistance Program, 1 May 1976
  • Final disposition, fate unknown
  • USS Chickasaw earned the Navy Unit Commendation for service in Salvage, Fire Fighting, and Rescue Unit, Service Force, 7th Fleet - Philippine Islands area, 6 January to 15 February 1945, and six battle stars for World War II service, and two battle stars for Korean war service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,235 t.
    Length 205'
    Beam 38' 6"
    Draft 15' 4"
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 5
    Enlisted 80
    Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
    Armament
    one single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mount
    two single 40mm AA gun mounts
    two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Fuel Capacity
    Diesel 2,275 Bbls
    Propulsion
    Diesel-electric drive, four General Motors 12-278A diesel main engines driving four General Electric generators and three General Motors 3-268A auxiliary services engines
    single propeller, 3,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    USS Chickasaw (ATF-83)
    Chickasaw 41k USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) underway, date and location unknown. Submitted by Charles Tousley to
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Chickasaw 157k Aerial view of USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) passing under the Golden Gate Bridge while entering San Francisco Bay in 1947. Alan Owen
    ROCS Ta Tung (A-548)
    Chickasaw 17k Ex Chickasaw (ATF-83) in Taiwan service as ROCS Ta Tung (A-548) .

    For more photos and information about USS Chickasaw, see;
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
  • National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
  • USS Chickasaw Reunion Banner
  • USS Chickasaw ATF Reunion Association Logo
  • USS Chickasaw Operation Schedule Summary for 1965
  • Commanding Officers
    • Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 20 May 2011