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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Catoctin (AGC-5)

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Kilo - Uniform - Alpha NKUA

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive, 18 August 1944)
Second Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle Campaign Service Medal (1)
Third Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

Appalachian Class Amphibious Force Command Ship:

Laid down, date unknown, as SS Mary Whitridge, a Maritime Commission type (C2-S-B1) hull under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 295) at Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, CA.

Launched, 23 January 1943

Acquired by the Navy, 31 August 1943, renamed USS Catoctin and placed in temporary commission, CDR. H. B. Olsen, USNR, in command

Decommissioned at her conversion yard in Philadelphia PA., 11 November 1943

Recommissioned, USS Catoctin (AGC-5), 24 January 1944, CDR. Charles O. Comp in command

During World War II USS Catoctin was assigned to both the Europe-Africa-Middle East and the Asiatic-Pacific Theaters and participated in the following campaign:

**Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign**
Campaign and Dates
Invasion of southern France, 15 August to 25 September 1944

Following World War II USS Catoctin was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

Navy Occupation Service Medal	China Service Medal (extended)
4 to 25 September 1945	26 September 1945
27 September to 26 November 1945

Decommissioned, 26 February 1947, at Philadelphia, PA.

Transferred to the Maritime Administration, 30 December 1959

Laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping and subsequently scrapped in 1959-60, by Warship Construction Co., South Portland, ME.

USS Catoctin received one battle star for World War II service

Specifications:
Displacement 7,240 t.(lt) 13.910 t (fl)
Length 459' 2"
Beam 63'
Draft 24'
Speed 16.4 kts (trial)
Complement

Officers 54

Enlisted 579
Flag Accommodations

Officers 92

Enlisted 351
Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
Armament

two single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts

two twin 40mm AA gun mounts

ten twin 20mm AA gun mounts
Fuel Capacities

NSFO 23,400 Bbls

Diesel 710 Bbls
Propulsion

one General Electric geared turbine

two Foster Wheeler, D-type boilers, 450psi 750 °

double General Electric Main Reduction Gears

Ship's Service Generators

four turbo-drive 300Kw 120V/240V D.C.

one Diesel-drive 100 Kw 450V A.C.

single propeller, 6,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
19-N-60806	86k	*USS Catoctin* (AGC-5)** underway near Philadelphia Navy Yard, 5 February 1944. US National Archives photo #s 19-N-60806 and 19-N-60807, US Navy Bureau of Ships photos now in the collections of the US National Archives.	Robert Hurst
19-N-60807	82k		Robert Hurst
	105k	*USS Catoctin* (AGC-5) at anchor, 22 August 1944, shortly after the landings in southern France. Catoctin** was force flagship for that operation, and is probably anchored off one of the invasion beaches. US Navy photo # 80-G-362811 from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command.	Robert Hurst
	29k	*USS Catoctin* (AGC-5)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from DANFS	US Naval Historical Center
	61k	*USS Catoctin* (AGC-5)** moored pierside at Norfolk, VA., circa early 1946.	Submitted by Christopher Albright for his father Joseph Albright YN3 USS Adirondack
	94k	*USS Catoctin* (AGC-5)** moored pierside in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA., circa 1959, shortly before she was sold for scrapping.	Ron Reeves

USS Catoctin (AGC-5)
DANFS history entry located at the US Naval History and Heritage Command

Documents/Messages both received and originated aboard USS Catoctin (AGC-5) announcing the end of WWII

Commanding Officers

01 CDR. Olsen. Hans H. B. 31 August 1943 - 11 November 1943

Decommissioned 11 November 1943 - 24 January 1943

02 CDR. Comp, Charles Owen 24 January 1943 - ?

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

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo.

Last Updated 11 November 2011

Commanding Officers
01	CDR. Olsen. Hans H. B.	31 August 1943 - 11 November 1943
	Decommissioned	11 November 1943 - 24 January 1943
02	CDR. Comp, Charles Owen	24 January 1943 - ?