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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

AT-90 / ATF-90 Pinto


USS Pinto (ATF-90) was transferred to Peru and renamed BAP Rios (ARA-123)
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive, 6 June 1944) - Navy Unit Commendation - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (3) - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Navajo Class Fleet Tug:
  • Laid down, 10 August 1942, at Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, PA.
  • Launched, 5 January 1943
  • Commissioned USS Pinto (AT-90), 1 April 1943, Lt. Ralph Brown in command
  • Redesignated Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF-90), 15 May 1944
  • During World War II Pinto was assigned to both the European and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters and participated in the following campaigns:

    Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
    Invasion of Normandy
    6 June to 3 July 1944     		Borneo operation
    Brunei Bay operation, 4 June to 5 July 1945
    Invasion of Southern France
    15 to 28 August 1944     		.

  • Decommissioned, 11 July 1946
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group, Orange, TX
  • Transferred, 1 May 1974, cash sale, under the Security Assistance Program to Peru, renamed BAP Rios (ARA-123)
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 17 May 1974
  • Current Disposition, active in the Peruvian Navy
  • Pinto received three battle stars for World War II service
    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 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 Pinto (AT-90 / ATF-90)
    Pinto 44k Pinto (AFT-90) underway, date and place unknown. Submitted by D Thomas to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    LCT-544 66k Pinto (ATF-90) alongside Susan B. Anthony (AP-72) to fight fires and take off survivors as the transport sinks off Omaha Beach, Normandy, 7 June 1944. Also in the photo is the bow ramp of LCT-544 coming alongside to attempt to take off survivors. Photo was taken from LCT-544 Steve O'Neill in honor of his father William T. O'Neill LCT-544
    BAP Rios (ARA-123)
    Pinto 80k Ex-Pinto (ATF-90) underway, circa 1967, location unknown, while in Peruvian service as BAP Rios (ARA-123) Robert Hurst
    Traverse County 71k BAP Rios (ARA-123) moored at left in this photo of the Peruvian Naval Base at Calleo, October 2003. Also in the photo are BAP Eten (DT-144), ex-Traverse County (LST-1160), moored outboard of BAP Pisco (DT-142), ex-Waldo County (LST-1163). Photo by Carlos Race Navy Military of Peru web site
    View the Pinto (ATF-90)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center web site
    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 5 January 2007