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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

AKA-91 Whitley

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Hotel - Kilo - Bravo
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal

USS Whitley (AKA-91) was sold to Italy and renamed Etna (A5328)
Andromeda Class Attack Cargo Ship
  • Laid down, 2 May 1944, as a Maritime Commission type (C2-S-B1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1191), at Moore Drydock Co., Oakland, CA.
  • Launched, 22 June 1944
  • Commissioned USS Whitley (AKA-91), 21 September 1944, CDR. Albert C. Thompson, USNR, in command
  • During World War II Whitley was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the: Decommissioned, 16 August 1955, at Charleston, S.C.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Charleston Group
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1960
  • Returned to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • Reinstated on the Naval Register, 1 December 1961
  • Loaned to Italy, February 1962, renamed Etna (A5328)
  • Late 1962 changed to NATO side number L9870
  • Returned to the US Naval custody, 1 May 1973 and sold the same day to Italy
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 May 1973
  • Final Disposition, scrapped at Naples, July 1979.
  • Whitley earned one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 6,556 t.(lt) 13,900 t.(fl)
    Length 459' 2"
    Beam 63'
    Draft 26' 4"
    Speed 16 kts.
    Complement 247
    Cargo Capacity 4,450 dwt cargo
    Armament
    one 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    eighteen single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Boats
    8 LCMs
    1 LCP(L)
    15 LCVPs
    Propulsion steam turbine, single shaft, 6,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Whitley (AKA-91)
    Whitley 60k Whitley (AKA-91) moored pierside, pier 2 NOB, Norfolk, VA., July 1953 Photo by Larry Bohn
    Whitley 27k Whitley (AKA-91) underway, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Whitley 29k Whitley (AKA-91) underway, August 1952, place unknown.
    US National Archives photo # 60-G-483292, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Etna (L9870)
    Whitley 45k Ex-Whitley (AKA-91) while in Italian service as Etna (L9870) underway, circa 1968, location unknown. Robert Hurst
    Whitley 82k Etna (L9870) at anchor at Malta, 31 August 1973. David Nixon
    Whitley 45k Etna (L9870) underway, circa 1968, location unknown. Robert Hurst
    View the Whitley (AKA-91)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 27 July 2007