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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Tab contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Currituck (AV-7)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Alpha - Foxtrot - Delta
 NAFD
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
Second Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Antarctic Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2-Quemoy-Matsu & Vietnam) - Vietnam Service Medal (2)
Fourth Row - Philippines Liberation Medal (2) - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Currituck Class Seaplane Tender:
  • Laid down, 14 December 1942, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Launched, 11 September 1943
  • Commissioned USS Currituck (AV-7), 26 June 1944, CAPT. W. A. Evans in command
  • During WWII USS Currituck was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Leyte operation
    Leyte landings, 6 to 29 November 1944     		Luzon operation
    Lingayen Gulf landings, 9 to 18 January 1945

  • Following World War II USS Currituck was assigned to Occupation and China service for the following periods:

    Navy Occupation Service Medal
    China Service Medal (extended)
    Asia 2 to 18 September 194519 September 1945
    Europe 15 July to 22 August 195521 to 29 September 1945
     1 to 25 October 1945

  • Decommissioned, 7 August 1947, at Philadelphia Navy Yard
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Recommissioned, 1 August 1951
  • Decommissioned, 12 February 1958
  • Recommissioned, 20 August 1960, CAPT. Cecil A. Bloam, USN in command
  • During the Vietnam War USS Currituck (AV-7) participated in the following campaigns:

    Vietnam War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Vietnam Defense
    4 July to 4 August 1965     		Vietnam Counteroffensive - Phase II
    2 to 26 September 1966
    30 November to 18 December 1966
    17 January to 6 February 1967
    19 March to 13 April 1967

  • Decommissioned, 31 October 1967, at Bremerton, WA.
  • Laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA., 5 December 1967
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 April 1971
  • USS Currituck earned two battle stars for World War II service and two campaign stars for Vietnam War service
  • Permanent title transfer to the Maritime Administration for disposal
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 10 January 1972, to Union Minerals & Alloys Corp. (PD-X-926, for $89,106.27). Delivered, 23 March 1972 arriving the same day at Oakland, CA for scrapping by Learner & Co.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 9,090 t.(lt) 15,092 t.(fl)
    Length 540' 5"
    Beam 69' 3"
    Draft 22' 3" (lim)
    Speed 19.2 kts. (trial)
    Complement
    Officers -162
    Enlisted - 1,085
    Largest Boom Capacity 30 t.
    Armament
    four single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    three quad 40mm AA gun mounts
    twenty single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Fuel Capacities
    NSFO - 15,330 Bbls
    Diesel - 285 Bbls
    Gasoline - 278,030 Gals
    Propulsion
    two New York Shipbuilding Parson- type steam turbines
    Babcock and Wilcox Express boilers, 400psi 690°
    double Falk Main Reduction Gears
    four 500Kw 450V A.C. Ships Service Generators
    two propellers, 12,000shp
    .
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Currituck 92k Mrs. Milo. F. Draemel breaks the traditional bottle of Champagne across the bow of Currituck (AV-7), as she is launched at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 11 September 1943.
    Navy Yard Philadelphia Photo # 1393-43.    		 Ron Reeves
    Currituck 80k USS Currituck (AV-7), near the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 19 July 1944 three days before completion.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-69352 RG-19 LCM, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Robert Hurst and Joe Radigan
    Currituck 57k One of twelve recognition photos taken of USS Currituck (AV-7), 19 July 1944. Un-cropped 8x10 is titled "Abeam Port Side". Note Currituck is painted in Measure 32/15x camouflage scheme.
    Original photo is in the collections of the US Naval Institute.    		 Bill Koonts AT2 VP56 1953-56
    Tangier 184k USS Currituck (AV-7) (upper), and USS Tangier (AV-8) (lower), moored at Morotai, October 1944, while supporting seaplane operations in connection with the Leyte invasion. Note aircraft rescue boats tied up alongside Tangier, and OS2U float planes on both ships' seaplane decks. Also of note Currituck is painted in Measure 32/15x camouflage scheme.
    US National Archive photo # 80-G-1022364, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the National Archives    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Currituck 278k 1944 V-mail Christmas Card sent by Denis A. Mikkelsen to his parents while serving in USS Currituck (AV-7) Carol Hipperson for Denis Mikkelsen USS Currituck
    Currituck
    09410781    		 146k A U.S. Navy Curtiss SOC-1 Seagull taxies out for a local flight over Antarctic waters, 8 January 1947 from USS Currituck (AV-7). Note radioman atop fuselage, probably securing the hoisting sling as the plane had just been hoisted over the side of the seaplane tender for flight operations.
    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # 80-G-609903    		 Robert Hurst
    Currituck 135k A Grumman Model G-21 light amphibian transport JRF is hoisted aboard USS Currituck (AV-7), January 27, 1952. There were six JRF models (JRF-1 through JFR-6) in both Navy and Coast Guard variations. Currituck had been recommissioned in August, 1951 for Korean War service.
    US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 2011.003.134.014.    		 Mike Green
    Currituck
    09410780    		 246k USS Currituck (AV-7) at anchor at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 6 February 1952.
    US National Archives photo # 80-G-440975, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives    		 Rick Davis
    Currituck 343k Aboard USS Currituck (AV-7) the balloon protective cover is removed by the handling crew of the Skyhook balloon for flight #3.
    US Navy photo    		 David Buell
    Currituck 353k USS Currituck (AV-7) off Galapagos Islands, 7 September 1953, while conducting operation "Churchy". From left to right; J. R. Long AOAN assists B. Stiller and N. Seeman of the Office of Naval Research and R. Danielson of the University of Minnesota, while making last preparations prior to launching of Skyhook flight #4.
    US Navy photo    		 David Buell
    Currituck 357k A Skyhook balloon fills out as the protective cover is removed by the handling crew aboard USS Currituck (AV-7) off Galapagos Islands, 7 September 1953, while conducting operation "Churchy".
    US Navy photo     		David Buell
    Currituck 333k A PBM-5 tracking aircraft of Patrol Squadron Forty-Five (VP-45) making a pass over USS Currituck (AV-7) off the Galapagos Islands, 8 September 1953, with Skyhook balloon handling crew in the foreground during operation "Churchy"
    US Navy photo    		 David Buell
    Currituck 43k USS Currituck (AV-7) anchored, 11 September 1953, in the Galapagos Islands while conducting operation "Churchy" Haze Gray and Underway web site
    Currituck 277k Aboard USS Currituck (AV-7) from left to right: LCDR. W. D. Baird; LCDR S. E. Storey; CAPT. J. D. Black, CO of Currituck; CDR. F. D. Heyer, XO; and LT. N. Craig pose with "Churchy> the Galapagos turtle, upon completion of operation "Churchy" at the Galapagos Islands, 17 September 1953
    US Navy photo    		 David Buell
    Currituck 89k USS Currituck (AV-7) at San Juan, P.R., 1954.
    US Navy photo    		 Bill Koonts AT2 VP56 1953-56
    Currituck 149k USS Currituck (AV-7)'s crew assembled in dress whites for either a crew photo op. or a ceremony such as a change of command, circa 1954, place unknown. Note the Yard Oiler (YO) alongside. Photo by CWO2 Ed Cokely USN Ret., Electrical Officer USS Currituck 1954-58.
    Currituck 13,884k Panoramic view of USS Currituck (AV-7) and crew at NOB Norfolk, VA, in 1956. CWO-2 Ed Cokely USN Ret. (as WO-1) is third from the right in the front row. John Dupre' courtesy CWO2 Ed Cokely USN Ret., Electrical Officer USS Currituck 1954-58.
    Currituck 53k USS Currituck (AV-7) hoisting aboard Patrol Squadron 56 (VP-56) (EH 10) P5M "Marlin" at Horta, Azores, Portugal, November 1956. Photo by CWO2 Ed Cokely USN Ret., Electrical Officer USS Currituck 1954-58.
    Currituck 53k USS Currituck (AV-7) hoisting aboard Patrol Squadron 56 (VP-56) (EH 10) P5M "Marlin" at Horta, Azores, Portugal, November 1956. Photo by CWO2 Ed Cokely USN Ret., Electrical Officer USS Currituck 1954-58.
    Currituck 73k Patrol Squadron 56 (VP-56) (EH 11) P5M "Marlin" assigned to USS Currituck (AV-7), with a crew from Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44) assigned, burns after crashing at Horta, Azores, Portugal, 11 November 1956. The VP-44 crew had been detailed to fly the aircraft back to the US. Photo by CWO2 Ed Cokely USN Ret., Electrical Officer USS Currituck 1954-58.
    Currituck 43k USS Currituck (AV-7) after re-commissioning in 1960 as evidenced by the forward TACAN antenna atop the boat deck crane and the absence of 20mm and 40mm gun mounts which were removed between 1958 & 1960 during overhaul at Philadelphia Navy Yard.
    US Navy photo    		 Caption information by Steve Eakin
    Currituck 147k USS Currituck (AV-7) passing through the Panama Canal in November 1960.
    US Navy photo.    		 Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Currituck
    09410782    		 126k U.S. Navy Martin P5M-2 Marlin (BuNo 135534) from
    Patrol Squadron (VP-47)     being hoisted aboard USS Currituck (AV-7) in 1962. VP-47 deployed with Currituck to Kodiak, and Cold Harbor, Alaska, from 27 May to 30 September 1962.
    U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2011.003.145.007.    		 Robert Hurst
    Currituck 86k USS Currituck (AV-7) at anchor, location unknown, circa mid-1960s. Note: 20mm, 40mm mounts removed, antenna added to the bow and TACAN added to the top of the Boat Deck crane. Currituck was the only AV-7 class tender with a TACAN.
    US Navy photo    		  
    Currituck 46k USS Currituck (AV-7), lifting P5M-2 Marlin, location unknown, circa mid-1960s.
    US Navy photo    		  
    Currituck 283k USS Currituck (AV-7) design drawings. Bill Koonts AT2 VP56 1953-56
    Currituck 48k USS Currituck (AV-7) at anchor with Skyhook balloon, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst
    Currituck 97k USS Currituck (AV-7) under way in 1961 with two Grumman S2F Trackers on her flight deck, location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Currituck 55k USS Currituck (AV-7) moored pierside to Pier "Kilo" NAS North Island, San Diego, CA., 12 July 1962. Steve Eakin AE-3 USS Currituck 1962-64
    Currituck 105k USS Currituck (AV-7) at anchor while loading an SP-5B (formerly P5M) Marlin seaplane during seaplane operations off Santa Catalina Island, CA., 12 November 1964.
    US navy photo # USN 1108994 from the collections of the US Navy History and Heritage Command.    		 Robert Hurst
    Currituck 37k P5M Mariner fly-over of USS Currituck (AV-7) during operation "Minute Hand" in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, P.I. in 1964.
    US Navy photo.    		 Cropped photo from USS Currituck 1964 cruise book
    Currituck
    09410784    		 80k USS Currituck (AV-7) at the end of her 62-day deployment to Con San Island, Vietnam, as flagship for "Operation Market Time", in 1965. Next to Currituck are the tank landing ship USS Floyd County (LST-762) and nine U.S. Coast Guard motor patrol boats.
    Naval Aviation News October 1965, p. 16.    		 Robert Hurst
    Currituck
    City of Vancouver Archives AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-4156    		 253k USS Currituck (AV-7) undocking with the assistance of tugs at Vancouver, B. C., 24 July 1966.
    City of Vancouver Archives AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-4156 and AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-4156.1 by Walter E. Frost.    		 Mike Green
    Currituck
    City of Vancouver Archives AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-4156.1    		 553k
    Currituck
    09710759    		 94k SP-5B Marlins of Patrol Squadron (VP) 50 moored near USS Currituck (AV-7) in September,1966, at Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam.
    US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.2001.089.023    		 09410759-Mike Green
    09410783-Robert Hurst
    Currituck
    09710783    		 66k
    Currituck 119k Stern view of USS Currituck (AV-7) at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam in January 1967. An SP-5B Marlin of Patrol Squadron (VP) 50 is being refueled while another of the squadrons Marlins is the ship's deck. The Currituck and Marlins of VP-50 were supporting Operation Market Time, with the planes conducting surveillance flights along the coast of Vietnam.
    US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No.2001.089.029    		 Mike Green
    Currituck 48k USS Currituck (AV-7) at anchor in Can Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, 7 May 1967, seen under the wing of SP-5M Marlin. The SP-5M's are attached to \Patrol Squadron (VP-40>, the last seaplane squadron deployed to Southeast Asia.
    US Navy Photographic Center photo # 1122336 by JOC R.D Moeser     		Tommy Trampp
    Currituck 714k USS Currituck (AV-7) moored pierside, in the Puget Sound area, possibly at Vancouver, date unknown. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Currituck 92k USS Currituck (AV-7) under way in harbor probably at Pearl Harbor, date unknown. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Currituck 355k USS Currituck (AV-7) under way in harbor, date and location unknown. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Currituck 179k USS Currituck (AV-7) ships plaque. Steve Eakin, AE3 USS Currituck, 1962-64
    USS Currituck Additional Ships Patches and Decals
    Currituck
    Contributed by Mike Smolinski    		 Currituck
    Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler    		 Currituck
    Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler    		 Currituck
    Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler

    For more photos and information about USS Currituck, see;
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
  • USS Currituck (AV-7) Commissioning Program, 20 August 1960
  • USS Currituck (AV-7) Far East Cruise 1961-1962 (This Cruise book is 161MB and will take a long time to load)
  • US Navy Patrol Squadrons - USS Currituck (AV-7)
  • Miscellaneous (Photo Collections etc.)
    • Commanding Officers
    01CAPT. Evans Jr., William Ashby, USN (USNA 1924)26 June 1944 - 19 November 1945
    02CAPT. Clark, John Edward, USN (USNA 1927) :RADM19 November 1945 - 7 August 1947
     Decommissioned7 August 1947 - 1 August 1951
    03CAPT. McElroy, John Harper, USN (USNA 1929)1 August 1951 - 13 June 1952
    04CDR. Burden, Harvey Paul, USN (USNA 1930) :RADM13 June 1952 - 28 May 1953
    05CAPT. Black, Joseph Dean, USN (USNA 1931) :RADM28 May 1953 - 1 May 1954
    06CAPT. Vredenburgh III, James Brinckerhoff (Jimmie) USN (USNA 1931) :RADM1 May 1954 - 18 March 1955
    07CAPT. Close, Burdette Eugene, USN (USNA 1932)18 March 1955 - 21 October 1955
    08CAPT. Kirn, Louis Joseph, USN (USNA 1932) :RADM12 February 1957 - 12 July 1957
    09CAPT. Buie, Paul Douglas, USN (USNA 1933) :RADM12 July 1957 - 12 January 1958
    10CDR. Mack, Lawrence J., USN12 January 1958 - 12 February 1958
     Decommissioned12 February 1958 - 20 August 1960
    11CAPT. Bolam, Cecil Austen (Fog Horn) USN (USNA 1938)20 August 1960 - 26 June1961
    12CAPT. Moore, Waller Clarke26 June 1961 - April 1962
    13CAPT. Windsor Jr., Robert Wilks (Duke), USN (USNA 1941)April 1962 - January 1963
    14CAPT. Gray Jr., O. B., USN (temporary) 22 January 1963 - 11 February 1963
    15CAPT. Knapp, Paul Joseph (Snapper), USN11 February 1963 - 20 January 1964
    16CAPT. Crowe, John William, USN20 January 1964 - 21 February 1965
    17CAPT. O'Neill, Martin George (Butch), USN 21 February 1965 - 11 February 1966
    19CAPT. Hammett, Wayne Elden, USN11 February 1966 - 31 October 1967
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    Last Updated 5 April 2024