From: DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS, Vol. V, p. 141.

A sub-tribe of Sioux Indians, residing in the Black Hills of North Dakota.

(CM-4: dp. 3,746; l. 386'; b. 52'2"; dr. 15'7"; s. 14 k.; a. 1 5", 4 3", 4 40mm, 8 20mm)

Oglala, a steamer built in 1907 by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, operated for the fall River Line in 1907; was purchased by the Navy as SS Massachusetts from Eastern Steamship Co. in 1917; commissioned 7 December 1917; and was re-nam ed Shawmut 7 January 1918.

Shawmut had an active role in World War I on the North Sea Mine Barrage. Departing Hampton Roads for Inverness, Scotland in June 1918, she worked in the mine field area until December, when she returned to Hampton Roads.

After the war Shawmut was converted to an aviation tender, and operated with the fledgling naval air arm during the early 1920s. She was renamed Oglala 1 January 1928, when she became flagship of Mine Division One.

Berthed alongside Helena at Pearl Harbor on fateful 7 December 1941, Oglala was one of the ships sunk in the surprise attack. Refloated late in 1942, Oglala steamed to California for more extensive repairs. Going into ordinary 29 Dece mber 1942, she was re-designated ARG-1 on 21 May 1943. Placed in full commission again 28 February 1944, she was fully ready for repair work and reported for action in the Central Pacific, where she continued operations until war's end.

After war-time service, Oglala decommissioned at San Francisco 11 July 1946, was struck from the Navy List and was transferred to the Maritime Commission the next day.

Oglala earned one battle star for World War II service.