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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Tab contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Pine Island (AV-12)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Alpha - Tango - November
NATN
Voice Call Sign "Ledger Gold"

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
Second Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal (1) - Korean Service Medal - Antarctic Service Medal
Fourth Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Taiwan Straits, Vietnam) - Vietnam Service Medal (2) - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Fifth Row - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (1)- Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)

Currituck Class Seaplane Tender:

Laid down, 16 November 1942, at Todd Shipyard Corp., San Pedro, CA.

Launched, 26 February 1944

Commissioned USS Pine Island (AV-12), 26 April 1945, Naval Supply Depot, San Pedro, CA., CDR. Henry Titus Hodgskin Jr. in command

During WWII USS Pine Island was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign:

Campaign and Dates
Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
Okinawa Gunto operation 3rd Fleet operations against Japan, 10 to 25 July 1945

Following World War II USS Pine Island was assigned to Occupation and China service for the following periods;

Navy Occupation Service Medal	China Service Medal (extended)
2 September 1945 to 9 May 1946	2 September 1945 to 9 May 1946
4 September to 15 October 1947	18 October 1947 to 18 January 1948
1 to 6 November 1948	9 to 31 October 1948
15 to 19 April 1949	7 November 1948 to 14 April 1949
	31 March to 22 April 1951
	12 May to 6 July 1952
	13 July to 1 August 1952
	6 April to 12 May 1953
	31 May to 8 July 1953
	7 to 13 August 1953
	28 February to 5 March 1954
	11 to 19 April 1954
	5 to 28 May 1954
	9 to 23 June 1954
	10 to 11 July 1954
	5 to 9 August 1954
	24 to 27 August 1954
	30 August to 1 September 1954
	14 to 24 March 1955
	28 April 1955
	2 to 19 May 1955
	28 June to 10 July 1955

Decommissioned, 1 May 1950

Recommissioned, 7 October 1950, at Alameda, CA.

During the Korean War USS Pine Island tended seaplanes that flew missions over enemy-held territory in Korea

During the Vietnam War USS Pine Island participated in the following campaigns:

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Advisory Campaign 4 August to 3 September 1964	Vietnamese Counteroffensive 15 January to 14 February 1966 2 to 11 April 1966
Vietnam Defense 10 October to 4 November 1965 28 November to 12 December 1965

Decommissioned, 16 June 1967

Laid up in the Reserve Fleet

Struck from the Naval Register, 1 February 1971

USS Pine Island earned one battle star for World War II service, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars for Vietnam War service

Title transfer to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 7 March 1972, to Zidell Explorations, Portland, OR.

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 Allis Chalmers steam turbines

four 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
09411239	105k	*Namesake* Pine Island - The largest island in the state of Florida in the United States. Located in Lee County, on the Gulf of Mexico coast of southwest Florida, it is also the 118th largest island in the United States. The Intracoastal Waterway passes through Pine Island Sound, to the west of the island. Matlacha Pass runs between Pine Island and the mainland. Pine Island lies west of Cape Coral.	Tommy Trampp
	101k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** photographed by her builder, the Todd Shipyards Corp., San Pedro, California, probably on 17 April 1945 a few days before her commissioning. US National Archives Photo # 19-N-85291, RG-19 LCM, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.(Note the photo appears to be mis-date across the top banner.)	Robert Hurst
	85k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** commissioning ceremony at the Naval Supply Depot, San Pedro, CA., 26 April 1945. The Chaplain gives the ship the Eternal Blessing."	Tom Watson for his father Howard Watson, EM3/c USNR USS Pine Island
	114k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** "Church Call." Divine services being held on the hanger deck, 30 September 1945, at Sasebo, Japan. Photo was taken in the hanger looking aft at to the sea plane deck.	Tom Watson for his father Howard Watson, EM3/c USNR USS Pine Island
	119k	One of *USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** PBMs along with one of her boats, at Sasebo, Japan, September 1945.	Tom Watson for his father Howard Watson, EM3/c USNR USS Pine Island
	137k	One of *USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** PBMs at Sasebo, Japan, September 1945.	Tom Watson for his father Howard Watson, EM3/c USNR USS Pine Island
	465k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway with two PBMs on deck, date and location unknown.	Ron Reeves
	736k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from the collections of the National Naval Aviation Museum.	Bill Gonyo
09411241	86k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway, date and location unknown. U.S. Navy photo	Nicholas Tiberio
	50k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** at anchor off Okinawa, October 1945	Tom Watson for his father Howard Watson, EM3/c USNR USS Pine Island
	62k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Haze Gray & Underway
	191k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway in San Diego Bay, circa early 1950s. US Navy photo	David Buell and Chris Howell
	93k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway off San Diego, CA., circa early 1950s. US Navy photo	David Buell
	41k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway, date and location unknown.	Hyperwar US Navy in WWII
	72k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway, circa 1954, location unknown.	Robert Hurst
	96k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** lowering a seaplane to her flight deck off the Pescadores Islands, date unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine March 1953.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	63k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12) underway off San Diego in 1954 approaching USS Electra (AKA-4)** in preparation for a transfer at sea exercise.	Photo by Donald Ravey USS Electra (AKA-4)
	72k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12) underway off San Diego in 1954 approaching USS Electra (AKA-4)** in preparation for a transfer at sea exercise.	Photo by Donald Ravey USS Electra (AKA-4)
	94k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)**, 250 miles NW off Hilo, HI., attempting to hoisting a Marlin P5M onto her deck. The aircraft had ran out of fuel and was forced down short of the islands on a flight from the U.S. mainland. The man standing on the aircraft is Ted Paige. Jim Wingo is seen hanging from the crane hook, after unsuccessfully trying to engage the hook in the aircraft hoisting sling. The pitching of the ship in heavy ground swells made the block of the crane swing with unstoppable force. US Navy photo.	Jim Wingo AB-3, V-1 Division USS Pine Island 1955-56
	64k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** at anchor, date and location unknown.	Bill Koonts AT2 VP56 1953-56
	234k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** moored pierside in 1954 location unknown.	Gary Adams
	246k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway 1956, location unknown.	Gary Adams
	286k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** underway 1958, location unknown.	Gary Adams
	267k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** lowering a P5M seaplane into the water in 1960, location unknown. US Navy photo	Gary Adams
	103k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** and one of her seaplanes, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine April 1960.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	139k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** fantail crane lifting a small boat onto her flight deck. At right are two Bowser (or refueling) boats. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine September 1961.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	872k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Jim Karr
	202k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** maneuvering in the harbor at Vancouver BC, 29 July 1961. City of Vancouver Archives, Photo No. AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-8689, by Walter E. Frost.	Mike Green
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
	310k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** under way in 1962, location unknown.	Gary Adams
	149k	*USS Currituck* (AV-7), turning over duties as forward deployed tender to USS Pine Island (AV-12)** at Okinawa, February 1962. US Navy photos from the collection of CDR. R.F. Dresel USN, USS Currituck	Suzanne D. Simpson
	177k		Suzanne D. Simpson
	180k	An SP-5B Marlin of Patrol Squadron (VP) 48 held on the stern crane of *USS Pine Island* (AV-12)*. The ship is anchored, location unknown, circa 1963. US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 2011.023.098*	Mike Green
	438k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** out bound to sea from San Diego, CA., date unknown.	David Upton
	247k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** under way in 1964, location unknown.	Gary Adams
	150k	*USS Pine Island* (AV-12)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Tommy Trampp
	885k	Mare Island Reserve Fleet, June 1967. Recognizable ships include *USS Pine Island* (AV-12) in the background, USS Pelias (AS-14), USS Vanderburgh (APB-48) and APL-3 (inboard of Vanderburgh*). Photo # MINSY 79270-9-67 TH APB 48* from the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.	Darryl Baker

USS Pine Island Ships Decals Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler

For more photos and information about USS Pine Island, see;
2023 Reunion Information
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

US Navy Patrol Squadrons - USS Pine Island (AV-12)
Miscellaneous and Memorabilia

Commanding Officers
01	CDR. Hodgskin Jr., Henry Titus	26 April 1945 - 15 February 1946
02	CAPT. Caldwell, Henry Howard :RADM	15 February 1946 - 30 December 1946
03	CDR. Schwartz, Isador Joseph, (XOIC)	30 December 1946 - 12 January 1947
04	CAPT. Caldwell, Henry Howard	12 January 1947 - 12 March 1947
05	CDR. Burch Jr., William Oscar :RADM	12 March 1947 - April 1948
06	CAPT. Mechling, Wallace Bristol	April 1948 - 10 May 1949
07	CDR. Taylor, Keith Eickenberry	10 May 1949 - 1 May 1950
	Decommissioned	1 May 1950 - 7 October 1950
08	CDR. Diffley, John Ronald	7 October 1950 - December 1950
09	CAPT. Simpler, Leroy Coard :RADM	December 1950 - 20 June 1951
10	CAPT. Colestock, Edward Emerson :RADM	? - 19 July 1953
11	CAPT. Woods, William P.	19 July 1953 - 3 August 1954
12	CAPT. Chase Jr., Irwin :RADM	3 August 1954 - July 1955
13	CAPT. Stuart, William Aurand :RADM	July 1955 - August 1956
14	CAPT. Dawson, William Lockhart	August 1956 - August 1957
15	CAPT. Taylor, Keith Eickenberry	August 1957 - 25 August 1958
16	CDR. Fleming, Allan Foster :RADM	25 August 1958 - 10 August 1959
17	CAPT. Lanham, Harvey Peter :RADM	10 August 1959 - 15 October 1960
18	CAPT. Ferguson, John Alexander	15 October 1960 - 30 August 1961
19	CAPT. Rankin, Eugene Parchman (Gene)	30 August 1961 - 30 June 1962
20	CAPT. Boyum, John Hoag	30 June 1962 - 1 April 1963
21	CAPT. Cooper, Damon Warren :VADM	1 April 1963 - 17 May 1964
22	CAPT. Minor, Gerald Ernst	17 May 1964 - 1965
23	CAPT. Seaver, Clifford Norman	1965 - 19 July 1966
24	CAPT. Smith Jr., Armistead Burwell (Chick), USN	19 July 1966 - 26 April 1967
25	CDR. Filson, Paul Lanfear	26 April 1967 - 16 June 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 27 January 2023