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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Left Patch Contributed by Mike Smolinski, Right Patch by Tommy Trampp

USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398)
ex
 USS Redbud (AKL-398) (1949 - 1952)
 USCGC Redbud (WLB-398) (1944 - 1949)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

National Defense Service Medal

USCGC Redbud (WLB-398) returned to the Coast Guard and transferred to the Philippines, renamed BRP Kalinga (AG-89)
Redbud Class Light Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 21 July 1943, for the US Coast Guard as a lighthouse tender, at Marine Iron and Shipbuilding, Duluth, MN.
  • Launched, 11 September 1943
  • Commissioned, USCGC Redbud (WLB-398), 2 May 1944
  • Acquired on loan by the US Navy in 1949
  • Classified as a Light Cargo Ship and commissioned USS Redbud (AKL-398), 23 July 1949, LCDR. Francis E. Clark USN in command
  • Decommissioned and assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 28 February 1952
  • Placed in service as USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398)
  • Placed out of service and returned to the US Coast Guard, 10 November 1970
  • Struck from the Naval Register 20 November 1970
  • Transferred to the Philippines, 1 March 1972, renamed BRP Kalinga (AG-89)
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,026 t.
    Length 180'
    Draft 12' (max)
    Beam 37'
    Speed 13.5 kts.(max)
    Propulsion one electric motor, two Westinghouse generators driven by two Cooper-Bessemer GND8 diesel engines, 1200 Shaft Horsepower, single screw
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Redbud (AKL-398)
    Redbud
    091439822    		 258k
    Namesake
    Redbud - Is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, native to eastern North America from southern Michigan south to central Mexico, east to New Jersey. Species thrive as far west as California and as far north as southern Ontario, roughly corresponding to USDA hardiness zone 6b. It is the state tree of Oklahoma. (Wikipedia)    		 Tommy Trampp
    Redbud 140k USS Redbud (AKL-398) moored pierside at Danish Naval Station Groennedal, Greenland, circa 1949 - 1950.
    Photo Source Arktisk Institut    		 Senior Chief, Erling Baldorf, Royal Danish Navy, retired
    Redbud 151k
    Redbud 79k
    USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398)
    Redbud 168k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398), moored date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Bill Valashinas
    Redbud 83 k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst
    Redbud 57k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Bill Valashinas
    Redbud 31k Artist sketch of USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) Bill Valashinas
    Redbud 93k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398), held immobile by the Arctic ice pack, January 1952. Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Redbud 66k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398), at Hopedale, Labrador, 1954 Paul Coutu with permission
    from Ren L'Ecuyer Pinetree Line web site
    Redbud
    091439823    		 35k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) underway in the Arctic on a resupply mission from Thule Greenland to U.S. Coast Guard LORAN (Long Range Navigation Station) at Cape Athol, Greenland in 1967.
    Photo by Lawrence Rodrigues    		 Tommy Trampp
    Redbud
    091439824    		 34k USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) pumping fuel ashore in Greenland. Looks like this walrus in inspecting the progress, 1967.
    Photo by Lawrence Rodrigues    		 Tommy Trampp
    BRP Kalinga (AG-89)
    Redbud
    091439821    		 764k Ex-USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) in Philippines Coast Guard service as BRP Kalinga (AG-89) moored in Manila South Harbor, 26 January 2020. Edison Sy
    Charles Taylor's collection of photos taken in Sondrestrom Fjord, Greenland as USNS Redbud (T-AKL-398) and USNS Chatahoochee (T-AOG-82) refuel at Sondrestrom AB Photo Page
    USS / USNS Redbud (AIL-398 / T-AKL-398)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships(DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Clark, Francis Edward, USN23 July 1949 - April 1950
    02LCDR. Menge, Robert Frederick USNApril 1950 - 28 February 1952
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 8 October 2021