>From the "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships," 

(1976) Vol. 6, p.50.





RED OAK VICTORY





	Red Oak is a town in southwestern Iowa.





AK-235

Displacement:  15,580 t.

Length:  455'3"

Beam:  62'

Draft:  28'6"

Speed:  15.5 k.

Complement:  99

Armament:  1 5"; 1 3"; 8 20mm

Class:  BOULDER VICTORY

Maritime Commission Standard Type:  VC2-S-AP2





	Cargo ship RED OAK VICTORY (AK-235) (ex-MCV hull 544) 

was laid down 9 September 1944 by Permanente Metals Corp., 

Richmond, Calif., for the U.S. Maritime Commission; acquired 

by the U.S. Navy 5 December 1944, and commissioned the same 

day, Lt. Comdr. John S. Sayers, USNR, in command.



	After shakedown off San Pedro, Calif., RED OAK VICTORY 

loaded general cargo at San Francisco and departed 

10 January 1945 for Pearl Harbor, arriving the 17th.  There 

she took on a cargo of ammunition destined for fleet issue.  

She sailed 10 February for Ulithi, Caroline Islands, arrived 

the 28th, and commenced operating under Commander, Service 

Squadron 10.



	From March to May, RED OAK VICTORY served as an 

ammunition issue ship in Ulithi Atoll.  She anchored in San 

Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, P.I., 1 June, and for the next 3 

months continued issuing ammunition to various ships in the 

fleet.



	She decommissioned 21 May 1946, was returned to the 

Maritime Commission at Seattle, Oreg., 12 June, and was 

struck from the Navy list 19 July.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com