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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 - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (6)
Second Row - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal - Korean Service Medal (2)
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, date unknown, 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, 24 January to 8 February 1944
    Occupation of Eniwetok Atoll, 17 February to 2 March 1944
    Leyte operation
    Leyte landings, 20 October to 22 November 1944
    Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Saipan, 16 June to 24 July 1944
    Luzon operation
    Lingayen Gulf landings, 9 to 18 January 1945
    Tinian capture and occupation, 24 July to 1 August 1 955 Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, June 1945

  • 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, date unknown
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 15 April 1976
  • Sold to the Republic of China under the Security Assistance Program, 1 May 1976, and renamed ROCS Ta Tung (A-548)
  • 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 kts.
    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 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) .

    View the USS Chickasaw (ATF-83)
    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 (AF) 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 19 September 2008