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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS Orca (AVP-49)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Charlie - Kilo - Hotel NCKH

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (3-27 August 1944, 26 November 1944, 2 January 1945)
Second Row - Presidential Unit Citation - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Third Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4)- World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Medal (with Asia clasp)
Fourth Row - National Defense Service Medal - Philippines Presidential Unit Citation - Philippines Liberation Medal (1)
Individual Awards and Citations

Legion of Merit CDR. Morton K. Fleming, Jr.

USS Orca (AVP-49 was transferred to Ethiopia and renamed Ethiopia (A 01)

Barnegat Class Small Seaplane Tender

Laid down, 13 July 1942, at Lake Washington Shipyards, Houghton, WA.

Launched, 4 October 1942

Commissioned, USS Orca (AVP-49), 23 January 1944, CDR. Morton K. Fleming, Jr., in command

During World War II USS Orca was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

Campaign and Dates	Campaign and Dates
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
Hollandia operation, 23 May to 1 June 1944	Leyte operation Leyte landings, 4 to 29 November 1944
Western New Guinea operation Cape Sansapor operation, 22 to 31 August 1944	Luzon operation Lingayen Gulf landings, 4 to 18 January 1945

Following World War II USS Orca (AVP-49) was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East for following periods;

Navy Occupation Service Medal
26 September to 12 October 1945
9 February to 19 June 1947

USS Orca (AVP-49) was assigned to Joint Task Force 1, Task Unit 1.6.4 Navy Air Group (Seaplane Tender, Bikini) for Operation Crossroads the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946

Decommissioned, 31 October 1947, at San Francisco, CA.

Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Francisco Group

Recommissioned, 15 December 1951, CDR. A. K. Espenas, in command

During the 1950s USS Orca (AVP-43) was assigned to China service for following periods;

China Service Medal (extended)
21 February to 17 April 1953
21 April to 15 July 1953
7 August to 22 September 1953
18 October to 14 November 1953
7 January to 10 February 1954
12 May to 10 July 1954
4 to 25 August 1954
4 to 21 August 1955
27 August to 3 September 1955

Decommissioned in March 1960, at Tongue Point Naval Station, Astoria, OR.

Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Columbia River Group

Reactivated in 1961 at San Francisco Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point, CA., for conversion to a training ship

Transferred (loaned) to Ethiopia in January 1962 under terms of the Military Assistance Program, renamed Ethiopia (A 01)

Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown

Final Disposition, during Eritrean revolution in 1991 Ethiopia (A 01) escaped to Yemen with other units of the Ethiopian navy. By then in unserviceable condition, she was probably sold locally for scrap

USS Orca was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and earned four battle stars for service in World War II

Specifications:
Displacement 1,766 t.(lt) 2,800 t.(fl)
Length 310' 9"
Beam 41' 2"
Draft 13' 6" (limiting)
Speed 18.6kts.

Complement

Officers 73

Enlisted 294

Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.

Armament

three single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts

one quad 40mm AA gun mount

two twin 40mm AA gun mounts

four twin 20mm AA gun mounts

Fuel Capacities

Diesel 1,955 Bbls

Gasoline 71,400 Gals

Propulsion

two Fairbanks Morse Diesel 38D8 1/4 engines

single Fairbanks Morse Main Reduction Gear Ship's Service Generators
two Diesel-drive 100Kw 450V A.C.
one Diesel-drive 200Kw 450V A.C.

two propellers, 6,080shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By / Source
USS Orca (AVP-49)
09434922	134k	*Namesake* Orca - Orca Bay is on the north west and west sides of Hawkins Island, extending westward to Johnstone Point of Hinchenbrook Island. Its northwestern corner is demarcated by Knowles Head, between Port Gravina and Fidalgo Bay on the mainland. Its eastern end can be reached from the port of Cordova, Alaska on Orca Inlet. According to the US Board on Geographic Names, Orca Bay was named for the Orca salmon cannery of the Pacific Steam Whaling Company, which operated on the southeast shore of Orca Inlet and in turn was named for that company's ship Orca. Ultimately the name is derived from the Orca or killer whale. (Wikipedia) Photo - Orca Bay photo by ©Ron Niebrugge / Wild Nature Images.com Map - NOAA Chart Orca Bay and Inlet, Channel Islands to Cordova	Tommy Trampp
	104k	Orca (AVP-49) ready for launching, 4 October 1942. Her builder's number, "Hull 538," is displayed on her bridge. US National Archives photo # 19-N-44301, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	104k	Orca (AVP-49) being launched at Lake Washington Shipyards, Houghton, WA,, 4 October 1942. US National Archives photo # 19-N-47209, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	122k	Orca (AVP-49) fitting out outboard of Onslow (AVP-48) at Lake Washington Shipyard, Houghton, WA., 10 July 1943. The old paddle-wheel ferry was the *West Seattle. US National Archives photo # 19-N-51143*, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	127k	Orca (AVP-49) outboard of Onslow (AVP-48) fitting out at Lake Washington Shipyard, Houghton, WA., 10 July 1943. Also visible in this photo are Oyster Bay (AGP-6), lower left, and Mobjack (AVP-7), lower right with the crane. The old paddle-wheel ferry is the *West Seattle. US National Archives photo # 19-N-51144*, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	114k	Orca (AVP-49) fitting out at Lake Washington Shipyard, Houghton, WA., 12 January 1944, about two weeks before commissioning. US National Archives photo # 19-N-58186, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	73k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** off Houghton, WA., 6 February 1944, about two weeks after commissioning. She was completed with three 5"/38 guns, including an open mount on her fantail. Note she is wearing camouflage scheme 32/2Ax. US National Archives photo # 19-N-61647, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	73k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 8 January 1946 after completion of an overhaul. Her 40mm quadruple mount had been moved forward replacing one 5"/38 mount, but she retained two 5"guns, including one in an open mount on her fantail. US National Archives photo # 19-N-92244, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	57k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** at anchor off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 8 January 1946 after completion of an overhaul. US National Archives photo # 19-N-92245, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	73k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 8 January 1946 after completion of an overhaul. US National Archives photo # 19-N-92246, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	57k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** at anchor off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 8 January 1946 after completion of an overhaul. US National Archives photo # 19-N-92247, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	70k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 8 January 1946 after completion of an overhaul. Note the flock of seagulls following the ship. US National Archives photo # 19-N-92248, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	80k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 8 January 1946 after completion of an overhaul. Note her 40mm quadruple mount had been moved forward replacing one of her two forward 5"/38 mounts. US National Archives photo # 19-N-92249, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	106k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 8 January 1946 after completion of an overhaul. Alterations shown included her amidships boat stowage. US National Archives photo # 19-N-92250, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	111k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 8 January 1946 after completion of an overhaul. The boats shown here displaced her 40mm quadruple mount, which was moved forward. A Mk. 51 director is also shown. US National Archives photo # 19-N-92251, a US Navy photo from the Bureau of Ships Collection now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	127k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49) at San Francisco Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point, CA. 21 December 1951, a week after being reactivated. In the foreground is USS Catalpa (AN-10)** showing the arrangement of her radar and other electronic antennas. US National Archives photo # 80-G-445892, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	141k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49) at San Francisco Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point, CA., 21 December 1951, a week after being reactivated. In the foreground is an annotated view of USS Catalpa (AN-10)*'s foremast showing the arrangement of her radar and other electronic antennas. Photographed at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, California, on 21 December 1951. Note the sailor climbing the mast. US National Archives photo # 80-G-445891*, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	96k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** underway, 4 April 1955. Note the aviation insignia on the bow aft of the hull number. The open 5"/38 mount formerly on her fantail was removed between late 1951 and 1955. US National Archives photo # 80-G-668276, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	249k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** moored at Naval Station San Diego, circa 1950s.	Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
	89k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** arriving at Tongue Point, Astoria, OR., 23 February 1960 for inactivation after a transit from San Diego. A tug is pushing the ship towards the pier as the special sea detail crewmen take slack out of the mooring lines. US Navy photo # NH 97805, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command	US Naval History and Heritage Command
	72k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** off the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point, 19 December 1961, showing the ship as modified for transfer to Ethiopia. US National Archives Photo # USN 1059113, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
09434923	238k	*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** underway, date and location unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
Ethiopia (A 01)
	43k	Ex-*USS Orca* (AVP-49)** in Ethiopian service as Ethiopia (A 01) moored pierside, date and place unknown.	Robert Hurst
	105k	Ethiopia (A 01) underway off the south coast of England, circa 1964. Photo Wright & Logan, Southsea, England.	Robert Hurst

USS Orca (AVP-49)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

Commanding Officers
01	CDR. Fleming Jr., Morton Klyne	23 January 1944 - 30 December 1944
02	CDR. Rigsbee Jr., Everett Olin	30 December 1944 - 10 December 1945
03	CDR. Shea, John Dwight	10 December 1945 - 21 March 1947
04	CDR. Rembert Jr., John Patrick	21 March 1947 - 13 October 1947
	Decommissioned	13 October 1947 - 15 December 1951
05	CDR. Espenas, Arthur Krag	15 December 1951 - 12 December 1952
06	CAPT. Johnson, John Henry Stewart, USN (USNA 1932)	12 December 1952 - 30 September 1953
07	CAPT. Ryon, William Medenhall	30 September 1953 - July 1954
08	CAPT. Schwartz, Isador Joseph	July 1954 - 15 July 1955
09	CAPT. Pray, Ralph Marble	15 July 1955 - 8 August 1956
10	CAPT. Tibbets, Joseph Bonafield :RADM	8 August 1956 - 1 October 1957
11	CAPT. Brown Jr., Samuel Robbins :RADM	1 October 1957 - 9 April 1958
12	CAPT. Bauer, Louis Hallowell, USN (USNA 1939)	9 April 1958 - 15 May 1959
13	CAPT. Jackson, Percival W. :RADM	15 May 1959 - 10 May 1960


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Barnegat Class Seaplane Tenders
Profile and Sky Views - Barnegat Class Small Seaplane Tenders - Lake Washington Shipyard, Houghton, WA.

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Last Updated 8 July 2022