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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS ATR-3

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Foxtrot - Delta - Xray
NFDX

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal

USS ATR-3 was transferred to Cuba and renamed 20 De Mayo

ATR-1 Class Rescue Tug:

Laid down in 1943 at Wheeler Shipbuilding Co., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Launched, date unknown

Commissioned USS ATR-3, date unknown

During World War II USS ATR-3 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaign:

Campaign and Dates
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaigns
Invasion of Normandy, 6 to 25 June 1944 Task Group 122.3 - Salvage and Fire Fighting Group (Wreck Dispersal Vessel)

Decommissioned, date unknown

Struck from the Naval Register in 1946

Transferred to Cuba in 1947 named 20 De Mayo

Final Disposition, disposed of by Cuban government in the 1960s, fate unknown

USS ATR-3 earned one battle star for World War II service

Specifications:
Displacement 852 t.(lt) 1,315 t.(fl)
Length 165' 6"
Beam 33' 4"
Draft 15' 6"
Speed 12.2 kts.
Largest Boom Capacity 4 t.

Armament

one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount

two single 20mm AA gun mounts

Complement

Officers 5

Enlisted 47

Fuel Capacity

NSFO 1,620 Bbls

Propulsion

one Fulton Iron Works vertical triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine

two Babcock and Wilcox "D"-type boilers, 200psi, Sat
two Turbo drive Ships Service Generators, 60kw 120V D.C.

single propeller, 1,600 hp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
USS ATR-3
094000303	105k	*LCT(5)-362* and USS ATR-3, 6 June 1944, Utah Beach, Normandy. These images change a little unknown history. It was reported that *LCT(5)-362* was lost due to the effects of bad weather. These images and the associated reports prove *LCT-362* was initially saved from sinking and later the LCT resumed its mission to Utah Beach. There is a mystery as to what happened to *LCT-362* and the official report assumes the LCT was mined. 094000303 - U.S.S. ATR-3 finds and rescues *LCT-362* after being ordered to assist the LCT which was floundering. 1018036201 - U.S.S. ATR-3 is towing *LCT-362* 1018036202 - *LCT-362* is low in the water. Reports show many Force U (Utah) LCTs were dangerously overloaded. 1018036203 - U.S.S. ATR-3 is pulling *LCT-362* alongside to moor it to its starboard side. The last known image of LCT-362. *Force "U"- Utah Beach* *Ref A - . COMTASKFOR 122 - Act Rep of Ops, 6/6-17/44, Invasion of Normandy, France.* 0620 *LCT 362* reported sinking from stress of weather in Transport Area. *Ref B_ USS ATR-3 - War Diary, 6/1-30/44 June 6, 1944* 0622 Underway in accordance with Bayfield (Flag Ship) despatch #060615 to assist *LCT 362* in sinking condition. 0655 Moored *LCT 362* alongside to starboard underway to clear landing lanes. 0709 Anchored; commenced salvage operations. Put pumps over. Commenced dragging anchor; started steaming at 30 rpms to port anchor. 0730 A 5" line trailing from astern *LCT 362* fouled screw. Stopped engine. Commenced jettison movable cargo to lighten *LCT 362. 1006 ...salvage diver, went down to unfoul screw. 1038 Diver surfaced; unable to clear screw. 1225 U.S.S. Bannock* moored alongside to *LCT 362* 1235 U.S.S. Bannock underway from alongside, with *LCT 362* in tow to remove vehicles. One 6" pump left on board *LCT 362. Boom on this vessel not heavy enough to remove vehicles. C. Ref. USS BANNOCK (ATF-81) - War Diary, 6/1-30/44 June 6, 1944* 1142 underway with RHF 24 (Rhino) unit along starboard side, standing over alongside [U.S.S.] *LCT 362* to unload LCT on RHF 24. 1224 anchored alongside [USS] *LCT 362. 1250 LCT 362* rammed port side and punched hole 12" x 15" in the side at frame 46 and 47, six inches above the water line. 1300 shifted [U.S.S.] *LCT 362* to starboard side astern of RHF 24, making preparations for unloading U.S. Army personnel and trucks on the RHF unit. 1355 unable to begin unloading due to heavy seas and made preparations for letting go lines to RHF unit 24. 1452 [USS] *LCT 11* came along starboard side of RHF unit and took it in tow. [USS] *LCT 362* underway and standing in toward beach. *D. Ref. COMTASKFOR 122 - Act Rep of Ops, 6/6-17/44, Invasion of Normandy, France Known Casualties and Losses* *LCT 362*, 6 June, sunk, cause undetermined probably mined. [LCTs were dangerously overloaded as well] Frames images from a short film named "NORMANDY INVASION RELIGIOUS SERVICE BEFORE D-DAY" National Archives Identifier: 81598 Local Identifier: 428-NPC-20783 Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Photographic Center. NAIL Control Number: NWDNM(m)-428-NPC-20783	David Upton
1018036201	115k
1018036202	104k
1018036203	196k
20 De Mayo
	108k	Ex-USS ATR-3 in Cuban service as *20 De Mayo*, circa 1954, Cuban Navy photo	Robert Hurst
	185k	*20 De Mayo* underway, location unknown. Official Cuban Navy photo taken from 1953-54 edition of "Jane's Fighting Ships"	Robert Hurst

There is no DANFS history available for USS ATR-3 at NavSource

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 12 August 2022