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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive


Patch at left contributed by Paul W. Croeber, USS Chikaskia Assoc. and patch at right by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Chikaskia (AO-54)

International Radio Call Sign
November - Zulu - India - November
NZIN
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Discount (G)olf - Section 6A of JANAP 119(F) 1968
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - Navy Expeditionary Medal (2-Cuba) - China Service Medal (extended)
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (6) - World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal - Korean Service Medal (1)
Fourth Row- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Cuba) - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)


Cimarron Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down, date unknown, as a Maritime Commission type (T3-S2-A3) tanker hull under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 720) at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, Sparrows Point, MD.
  • Launched, 2 October 1942
  • Acquired by the Navy, 10 January 1943
  • Commissioned USS Chikaskia (AO-54), 10 November 1943, CDR. L. J. Hasse, USNR, in command
  • During World War II USS Chikaskia (AO-54) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater where she re-supplied the fast-carrier task forces and participated in the following campaigns:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Marshall Islands operation
    Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 29 January to 8 February 1944
    Luzon operation
    Formosa Attacks, 15 and 21 January 1945
    China Coast Attacks, 16 January 1945
    Nansei Shoto Attack, 22 January 1945
    Western Caroline Islands operation
    Assault on the Philippine Islands, 9 to 24 September 1944
    Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 15 February to 5 March 1945
    Leyte operations
    Luzon Attacks, 14 to 16 December 1944
    Okinawa Gunto operation
    5th & 3rd Fleet raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, 16 March to 17 April 1945

  • Following World War II USS Chikaskia (AO-54) was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

    Navy Occupation Service Medal

    China Service Medal (extended)
    2 September 1945 to 8 April 194613 August to 14 September 1953
    8 to 12 May 1948 

  • USS Chikaskia (AO-54) was assigned to Joint Task Force 1, Task Unit 1.8.1 Service Group - Repair and Service Unit for Operation Crossroads the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946
  • Assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 1 October 1949
  • Returned to the Service Force, Pacific Fleet, 28 February 1953
  • During the Korean War USS Chikaskia (AO-54) participated in the following campaign:

    Korean War Campaign
    Campaign and Dates
    Korea, Summer-Fall 1953 Campaign
    30 May to 9 June 53
    30 June to 11 July 1953
    19 to 27 July 1953
  • Decommissioned, 7 November 1955
  • Recommissioned, 12 December 1956
  • Decommissioned and transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 9 December 1957, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX.
  • Transferred from MARAD to the US Navy, 12 August 1960
  • Recommissioned, 17 December 1960
  • Decommissioned, 18 December 1969, at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. and transferred to MARAD for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 December 1976
  • USS Chikaskia earned six battle stars for World War II service and one battle star for Korean war service
  • Returned to the US Navy from MARAD for stripping, 29 January 1981
  • Sold 26 May 1982, to Keystone Shipping Co. with 5 others in a swap out for M/V Chancellorsville
  • Delivered, 4 June 1982, to Eastern Overseas Inc. via C. W. Enterprises & Investment, Inc., of California w/right to resell for scrapping in 24 months
  • Final Disposition, scrapped at Avilés, Spain in 1982
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,236 t.(lt) 25,440 t.(fl)
    Length 553'
    Beam 75'
    Draft 32'
    Speed 18.3 kts (trial)
    Complement
    Officers 23
    Enlisted 287
    Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount
    four single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mounts
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    four twin 20mm AA gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity 16,500DWT
    Oil 123,700 Bbls
    Gasoline 788,000 Gals
    Fuel Capacity NSFO 15,000 Bbls
    Propulsion
    two Bethlehem Shipbuilding geared turbines
    four Foster-Wheeler K-type boilers, 450psi 730°
    double Falk Main Reduction Gears
    Ship's Service Generators
    two turbo-drive 400Kw 230V A.C.
    one Diesel-drive 150Kw 230V A.C.
    twin propellers, 13,500shp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Source
    Chikaskia 650k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) at anchor in 1943, location unknown.
    Photo from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 41k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) refueling USS Hank (DD-702), February 1945, location unknown. ©Richard Leonhardt
    Chikaskia 298k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) shifting personnel with USS Massachusetts (BB-59), 11 April 1945 in TG58.1. Note USS Sigsbee (DD-502) in an unrep activity beyond.
    From the USS Massachusetts 1945 cruisebook, Tin Can Sailors archive, Somerset MA.
    John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder.
    Chikaskia
    091905434
    212k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) entering San Francisco Bay, post WWII.
    US Navy photo from the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
    Darryl Baker
    Chikaskia 86k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) under way circa 1949. Much of her antiaircraft battery, including all of the guns and gun platforms on the bow, have been removed.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo, courtesy Shipscribe.com.
    Mike Green
    Chikaskia 1319k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) under way in Hampton Roads in 1953.
    Photo from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 539k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) recommissioning ceremony at US Naval Shipyard Mare Island, 12 December 1956. CDR. CDR. Spalding Jr. William Aaron USN assuming command.
    US Navy photo.
    Darryl Baker
    Chikaskia
    091905430
    267k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) underway, circa 1959, location unknown.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 1045723.
    USNH&HC
    Chikaskia
    091905431
    63k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) at anchor in a Mediterranean port, date unknown.
    US Navy photo from Auke Visser's Famous T-Tankers Pages.
    Robert Hurst
    Chikaskia
    091905432
    54k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) conducting an underway replenishment (UNREP) evolution with USS Higbee (DD-806) and an unidentified aircraft carrier, date and location unknown.
    Time-Life Magazine photo from Auke Visser's Famous T-Tankers Pages
    Robert Hurst
    Chikaskia
    091905433
    85k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) at anchor date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from Auke Visser's Famous T-Tankers Pages
    Robert Hurst
    Chikaskia 360k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) change of command; CAPT. E. L. Feightner relieved CAPT. R. B. Terrell in November 1964. Also present, CAPT. Refo and RADM Ailes.
    Photos from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 84k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) moored pierside at NOB Norfolk, VA., circa 1957-1963. Courtesy of the family of Richard V. Murdoch SN USS Chikaskia
    Chikaskia 2610k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) alongside USS Randolph (CVS-15) during an underway replenishment off Norfolk in February 1965.
    Photo from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 898k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) at anchor off St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, February 1965.
    Photo from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 120k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.
    Tommy Trampp
    Tidewater 42k View from USS Tidewater (AD-31) while refueling from USS Chikaskia (AO-54) while enroute from a Mediterranean deployment back to the US in 1965. USS Stribling (DD-867) is off the starboard quarter of USS Chikaskia. Photo ©William D. Cook. Robert Hall USS Tidewater 1968-71
    Chikaskia 872k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) at anchor in the Mediterranean Sea, 1965.
    Photo from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 1090k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) alongside USS Forrestal (CVA-59) during an underway replenishment in the Mediterranean Sea, 1965.
    Photos from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 1164k
    Chikaskia 668k
    Chikaskia 1114k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) at anchor in the harbor at Naples, Italy, 1965.
    Photos from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 1006k
    Chikaskia 726k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) ship's officers during command inspection in 1965 while deployed to the Mediterranean.
    Photos from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 2890k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) during an underway replenishment with USS Waldron (DD-699) and USS Shangri La (CVA-38) in the Mediterranean, August 1965.
    Photos from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 1004k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) signal bridge, 1965.
    Photos from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 49k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) at anchor in the harbor at Naples, Italy, 1967. Note Mt. Vesuvius in the background.
    Photo from the collections of HM1 John Wagner, RADM E. L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon, compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.
    Al Gordon, Secretary USS Chikaskia Reunion Organization
    Chikaskia 270k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) at anchor in a Mediterranean port, date unknown.
    US Navy photo.
    Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Chikaskia 93k USS Chikaskia under way in the Mediterranean, August 1967 ©Richard Leonhardt
    Chikaskia 55k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) refueling USS Little Rock (CLG-4) and USS Springfield (CLG-7) in the Mediterranean Sea, Southeast of Palma de Majorca, Spain in 1967. Photo from the collection of Clarence Wolfe. EM2 Terry D. Gann USNR(R) Ret.
    Chikaskia
    091905428
    94k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) moored pierside, date and location unknown. Tommy Trampp
    Chikaskia
    091905429
    177k Ex-USS Chikaskia (AO-54) being scrapped at Avilés, Spain in 1982 Ricardo Garcia
    Chikaskia 123k USS Chikaskia (AO-54) plaque. Tommy Trampp


    For more photos and information about USS Chikaskia, see;
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
  • MARAD Vessel History Database
  • USS Chikaskia Association

  • Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Hasse, Lawrence John10 November 1943 - 3 June 1944
    02LCDR. Zimmerman, George3 June 1944 - 4 February 1945
    03LCDR. Boyd, Gillespie Godfrey4 February 1945 - 9 December 1945
    04LCDR. McLaughlin, John9 December 1945 - 18 March 1946
    05CAPT. Searles, William Marvin, USN (USNA 1928)18 March 1946 - 25 March 1947
    06CAPT. Collis, John Leon USN (USNA 1928)25 March 1947 - 11 June 1948
    07CDR. Zern, Richard Dewey11 June 1948 - 1949
    08CDR. Burns, Edward Stitt USN1950 - 1952
    09CDR. Yost, Allan Daniel 1952
    10CAPT. DuBois, Thomas Hodgskin :RADMSeptember 1953 - September 1954
    11CAPT. Allen, Charles VernSeptember 1954 - 7 November 1955
     Decommissioned7 November 1955 - 12 December 1956
    12CDR. Spalding Jr. William Aaron12 December 1956 - 9 December 1957
     Decommissioned9 December 1957 - 17 December 1960
    13CAPT. Mather, Lee Wilson17 December 1960 - 17 December 1961
    14CAPT. Siegmund, Theodore Charles, USN (USNA 1939)17 December 1961 - 11 January 1963
    15CAPT. Peters, Irving George (Ike), USN (USNA 1940)11 January 1963 - 1963
    16CAPT. Terrell, Ralph B.1963 - November 1964
    17CAPT. Feightner, Edward Lewis (Whitey) :RADM (Photo as RADM)November 1964 - November 1965
    19CAPT. Carpenter, Albert Pinson, USN (USNA 1944)November 1965 - 25 November 1966
    20CAPT. Stewart, Jack Collins, USN (USNA 1943)25 November 1966 - 9 November 1967
    21CAPT. Hughes Jr., Thomas Joseph, USN :VADM9 November 1967 - June 1969
    22CAPT. Corner, Sheldon LarryJune 1969 - 18 December 1969
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves. photos courtesy Bill Gonyo and Ron Reeves

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

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    Last Updated 17 July 2024