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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Estes (LCC-12)
ex
 USS Estes (AGC-12) (1944 - 1969)

/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Whiskey - Delta - Echo

 NWDE
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) - American Campaign Medal
Second Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Korean Service Medal (2) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam)
Fourth Row - Vietnam Service Medal (6) - United Nations Service Medal - Philippine Liberation Medal
Fifth Row - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (2) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Mount McKinley Class Amphibious Force Command Ship:
  • Laid down as SS Morning Star, a Maritime Commission type (C2-S-AJ1) hull under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1353) at North Carolina Shipbuilding Co. Wilmington, N.C.
  • Launched, 1 November 1943
  • Transferred to the Navy, 22 February 1944
  • Commissioned USS Estes (AGC-12), 9 October 1944, CDR. R. O. Mathews in command
  • During World War II USS Estes (AGC-12) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 16 to 24 February 1945     		Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto operation, 25 March to 20 April 1945

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

    Navy Occupation Service Medal
    China Service Medal (extended)
    9 to 16 March 19466 November 1945 to 8 March 1946
    30 January to 2 February 1949 17 March to 3 April 1947
     13 August to 17 November 1947
     5 December 1947 to 29 January 1949
     2 to 13 February 1955

  • Decommissioned, 30 June 1949
  • Recommissioned, 31 January 1951
  • During the Korean War USS Estes (AGC-12) participated in the following campaigns:

    Korean War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    UN Summer-Fall Offensive
    25 July to 2August 1951
    8 to 17 September 1951
    21 to 23 October 1951
    26 October to 1 November 1951     		Second Korean Winter
    3 to 7 December 1951
    10 to 17 January 1952
    27 January to 1 February 1952
    to 9 March 1952

  • During the Vietnam War USS Estes (AGC-12 / LCC-12) participated in the following campaigns:

    Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
    Campaigns and Dates Campaigns and Dates
    Vietnam Advisory Campaign
    19 to 20 March 1961
    28 to 29 March 1961
    24 to 26 April 1961
    30 June to 3 July 1965     		Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV
    3 to 14 April 1968
    9 to 20 May 1968
    28 May to 20 June 1968
    28 to 30 June 1968
    Vietnam Defense Campaign
    4 to 15 July 1965
    17 to 23 August 1965
    20 September to 3 October 1965     		Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V
    1 to 20 July 1968
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II
    30 August 1966
    9 September 1966
    18 to 20 October 1966
    29 November to 1 December 1966
    3 to 13 January 1967     		Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969
    26 August to 4 September 1969
    Tet Counteroffensive
    12 February to 1 March 1968
    17 to 22 March 1968

  • Designation changed to (LCC-12), 1 January 1969
  • Decommissioned, 31 October 1969
  • Laid up in the Reserve Fleet
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 30 July 1976 and custody transferred to MARAD
  • USS Estes earned two battle stars for World War II service, two battle stars for Korean war service, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with six campaign stars for Vietnam War service
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping by MARAD, 1 December 1977
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,500 t.(lt), 12,580 t.(fl)
    Length 459' 2"
    Beam 63'
    Draft 24' (lim)
    Speed 16.4 kts (trial)
    Complement
    Officers 54
    Enlisted 568
    Staff Accommodations
    Officers103
    Enlisted 338
    Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
    Armament
    two single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    ten twin 20mm AA gum mounts
    Fuel Capacities
    NSFO 22,650 Bbls
    Diesel 700 Bbls
    Propulsion
    one General Electric Geared turbine
    two Combustion Engineering header-type boilers, 450psi 750°
    double General Electric Main Reduction Gears
    Ship's Service Generators
     three turbo-drive 300Kw 120V/240V D.C.
     one Diesel-drive 100Kw 450V A.C.
    single propeller, 6,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Estes 138k USS Estes (AGC-12) at anchor in the western Pacific in 1945.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 94190 courtesy collection of LT. Oscar W. Levy, USN SC Ret.    		 Mike Smolinski
    Estes 26k USS Estes (AGC-12) at anchor in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island, Philippines, circa August 1945. Photo by Bernard L. De Noma LCT 725
    Estes 61k Menu cover commemorating USS Estes (AGC-12) first anniversary of commissioned service, 9 October 1945 Richard C Preall, Chief Master Sergeant US Army Ret
    Estes
    10011289    		 575k Base "W" men find musical entertainment on Navy Day while visiting the Amphibious Group 13 flagship, USS Estes (AGC-12) anchored in San Fernando Bay, La Union, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 27 October 1945.
    US National Archives Identifier 80680593 book, US Army Photo.    		 David Upton
    Estes 1506k USS Estes (AGC-12) moored outboard of USS Rocky Mount (AGC-3), Berth No. 1, Huang Pu (Whangpoo) River, Shanghai, China, circa 6-9 November 1945. Carl Kracht for his father PHom1/c Ken Kracht
    Estes 50k USS Estes (AGC-12), starboard broadside view, underway in Sinclair Inlet off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 28 July 1947.
    Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo # NY8-1060 now in the collections of the Seattle Branch of the US National Archives.    		 Tracy White
    Estes 51k USS Estes (AGC-12), starboard bow view, underway with the assistance of a navy tug in Sinclair Inlet off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 28 July 1947.
    Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo # NY8-1061 now in the collections of the Seattle Branch of the US National Archives.    		 Tracy White
    Estes 47k USS Estes (AGC-12), stern view, underway with the assistance of a navy tug in Sinclair Inlet off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 28 July 1947.
    Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo # NY8-1062 now in the collections of the Seattle Branch of the US National Archives.    		 Tracy White
    Estes 46k USS Estes (AGC-12), head on view, underway with the assistance of a navy tug in Sinclair Inlet off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 28 July 1947.
    Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo # NY8-1063 now in the collections of the Seattle Branch of the US National Archives.    		 Tracy White
    Estes 41k USS Estes (AGC-12), stern view, underway in Sinclair Inlet off Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 28 July 1947.
    Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo # NY8-1064 now in the collections of the Seattle Branch of the US National Archives.    		 Tracy White
    Estes 88k USS Estes (AGC-12) underway near Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Sinclair Inlet, 28 July 1947.
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, photo # 19-N-129116, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Robert Hurst

    USS Estes (AGC-12) at San Francisco Naval Shipyard (Hunters Point), 5 April 1951. This series of photos shows antenna arrangement.
    Photos from the US National Archives
    Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-007    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-006    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-008    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-009    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-010
    Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-011    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-012    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-013    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-014    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-015    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-016

    USS Estes (AGC-12) at Naval Station San Diego, antenna arrangement, 11/12 November 1953.
    Photos from the US National Archives
    Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-017    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-018    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-019    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-020    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-021    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-022
    Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-023    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-024    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-025    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-026    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-027    		 Estes
    RG19nn-b1540-0008-028

    Estes 85k A Vietnamese mother and baby are helped down the gangway of USS Estes (AGC-12), as refugees arrive at Saigon after being evacuated from the North during Operation "Passage to Freedom" in 1954.
    US National Archives. Photo # 80-G-647026, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Robert Hurst
    Estes 375k USS Estes (AGC-12) under way off San Diego, CA., date unknown Mike Smolinski
    Estes 371k USS Estes (AGC-12) at anchor, 8 August 1955, probably off Coronado, CA.
    US Navy photo from the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum    		 Darryl Baker
    Estes 62k USS Estes (AGC-12) underway, date and location unknown.  
    Estes 72k USS Estes (AGC-12) underway, date and location unknown.  
    Estes 64k USS Estes (AGC-12) at anchor, date and location unknown. Joe Fyke
    Estes 101k USS Estes (AGC-12) underway, date and location unknown.  
    Estes 128k USS Estes (AGC-12) underway, date and location unknown.  
    Estes 189k USS Estes (AGC-12) arriving at Vancouver, B. C, is assisted by tugs to her berth, 19 July 1958.
    City of Vancouver Archives, Photo No. AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-8690, by Walter E. Frost.    		 Mike Green
    Pine Island
    09411240    		 230k USS Pine Island (AV-12) and USS Estes (AGC-12) moored at Pier 91, Seattle, WA. during SeaFair 61 in August 1961.
    		 Brian Curtis
    Estes 72k USS Estes (AGC-12) arrives at Seattle, WA. for the 1962 World's Fair. The 600-foot 'space needle' stands in the background.
    US Navy photo for All Hands magazine, August 1962.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Estes 217k USS Estes (AGC-12) under way off the coast of Oahu, HI., 2 March 1967.
    Photo by PH3 A.R. Foss, of squadron VC-1.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 107687    		 Mike Smolinski
    Estes 220k USS Estes (AGC-12) plaques Tommy Trampp
    Louis Boozer

    For more photos and information about USS Estes, see;
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
  • MARAD Vessel History Database
  • USS Estes Association AGC-12
    • Commanding Officers
    01CAPT. Mathews, Bob Orr, USN :RADM9 October 1944 - 18 March 1947
    02CAPT. Brereton, Wilkie Hill, USN (USNA 1924)18 March 1947 - July 1947
    03CAPT. Hogle, James Bernhart, USN (USNA 1924)July 1947 - 1948
    04CAPT. Davidson, Walter Bunn, USN (USNA 1925)1948 - 30 June 1949
     Decommissioned30 June 1949 to 31 January 1951
    05CAPT. Wood, Robert Winthrop, USN (USNA 1928) :RADM31 January 1951 - 30 April 1952
    06CAPT. Holtwick Jr., Jack Sebastian, USN (USNA 1927)30 April 1952 - 8 September 1953
    07CAPT. Waterhouse, Jacob Wilson, USN (USNA 1929)8 September 1953 - 18 November 1954
    08CAPT. Peterson, Mell Andrew, USN (USNA 1930) 18 November 1954 - 21 December 1955
    09CAPT. Firth, Maxim William, USN (USNA 1931)21 December 1955 - February 1957
    10CAPT. Burrow, James Barrington, USN (USNA 1933)February 1957 - 9 April 1958
    11CAPT. Westholm, Rollin Everton, USN (USNA 1934)9 April 1958 - 1 May 1959
    12CAPT. Gay Jr., Jesse Bishop, USN (USNA 1935)1 May 1959 - 24 February 1960
    13CAPT. Woodfin Jr., Richard Henry, USN (USNA 1938)24 February 1960 - 20 May 1961
    14CAPT. Stimson, Paul Cecil, USN (USNA 1936)20 May 1961 - 1962
    15CAPT. Cook Jr., Allen Pearcy, USN (USNA 1940)1962 - 27 May 1963
    16CAPT. De Venter, Willard Wendell, USN (USNA 1941)27 May 1963 - 7 October 1964
    17CAPT. Pellett, William Henry, USN (USNA 1942)7 October 1964 - 19 October 1965
    18CAPT. Earnest, Albert Kyle (Bert), USN (USNA 1941)19 October 1965 - 7 October 1966
    19CAPT. Murphree, Hugh Dyer, USN (USNA 1945) 7 October 1966 - 13 February 1968
    20CAPT. Hansen, Jens Burnell, USN (USNA 1945)13 February 1968 - 26 June 1969
    21CAPT. Rogers Jr., Edward Brien, USN (USNA 1948-B)26 June 1969 - 31 October 1969
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves. Photos courtesy Bill Gonyo
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    Last Updated 16 April 2021