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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Patch on left contributed by David Buell, patch at right by Rich Tetrault via NAFTS

USS Tawasa (ATF-92)
ex
 USS Tawasa (AT-92) (1943 - 1944)

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Uniform - Xray - Delta
 NUXD
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons





Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - China Service Medal (extended)
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (3)- World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal (2)- Korean Service Medal (2)
Fourth Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Korea) - Vietnam Service Medal (7) - Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Fifth Row - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)
Navajo Class Fleet Tug:
  • Laid down, 7 September 1942, at Commercial Iron Works, Portland, OR.
  • Launched, 22 February 1943
  • Commissioned USS Tawasa (AT-92), 17 July 1943, LT. Fred C. Clark in command
  • During World War II USS Tawasa was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Gilbert Islands operation, 25 November to 6 December 1943 Marianas operation
    Assault and occupation of Saipan, 15 June to 7 July 1944
    Marshall Islands operation
    Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 31 January to 8 February 1944
    Occupation of Eniwetok Atoll, 17 to 24 February     		 

  • Redesignated Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF-92), 15 May 1944
  • Following World War II USS Tawasa was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

    Navy Occupation Service Medal
    China Service Medal (extended)
    22 February to 13 August 194714 to 19 August 1947

  • During the Korean War USS Tawasa participated in the following campaigns:
    Korean War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952
    19 July to 10 August 1952
    3 to 30 November 1952     		Third Korean Winter
    1 to 5 December 1952
    29 December 1952 to 3 January 1953

  • During the Vietnam War USS Tawasa participated in the following campaigns:
    Vietnam War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV
    15 April to 20 May 1968
    30 May to 30 June 1968     		Sanctuary Counteroffensive
    23 to 26 May 1970
    18 to 20 June 1970
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V
    1 to 13 July 1968     		Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII
    30 July to 3 August 1970
    Tet 69/Counteroffensive
    20 April to 24 May 1969
    2 to 4 June 1969     		Consolidation II Consolidation II
    21 February to 28 March 1972
    Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969
    13 to 14 June 1969
    18 to 21 June 1969
    25 to 28 July 1969
    5 to 7 August 1969     		 

  • Decommissioned, 31 March 1975, at Naval Station San Diego, CA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 April 1975
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS), 1 August 1976
  • USS Tawasa received three battle stars for World War II service, two battle stars for Korea War service and seven campaign stars for Vietnam war 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
    Tawasa 454k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) underway, circa 1943-1945, location unknown. David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN, Ret. USS Tawasa Chief Engineer, 1962-63
    Tawasa 39k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) at anchor, circa April 1945. Note the union jack at half staff, location unknown. Submitted by Ken Dower to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Tawasa 35k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) underway, date and location unknown. Scottie. D. Williams USS Tawasa
    Tawasa 108k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) underway, circa 1960s-1970s, location unknown.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command, photo # Unknown    		 Mike Green
    Tawasa 134k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) underway, date and location unknown. Photo from "the Towline" the National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors magazine, 1 September 1996. Stan Svec
    Tawasa 37k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) moored pierside at Naval Station Adak, AK., date unknown. Submitted by Charles Roop to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Tawasa 59k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.. Robert Hurst
    Tawasa 574k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) underway, circa 1950s, location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN, Ret. USS Tawasa Chief Engineer, 1962-63
    Tawasa 64k USS Tawasa (ATF-92) underway location unknown, circa 1962-63. David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN, Ret. USS Tawasa Chief Engineer, 1962-63
    Tawasa 65k USS Tawasa (ATF-92)'s Decommissioning Ceremony Invitation for the decommissioning of the ship at Naval Station San Diego, 31 March 1975. Submitted by S. Dale Hargrave

    For more photos and information about USS Tawasa see;
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
  • National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
  • Welcome Aboard Brochure Covers and Decommissioning Ceremony Booklet
  • Commanding Officers
    • Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    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
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    Last Updated 2 November 2012