From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Hawk

A bird of prey related to the falcon family, noted for its swiftness and grace in flight.


(YMS-362: dp. 245 t.; 1. 136'; b. 22'9"; dr. 6'3"; s. 14.5 k., a. 1 3")

The third Hawk (YMS-362) was launched as YMS-362 by Robert Jacob, Inc., City Island, Bronx, N.Y., 22 May 1943; sponsored by Miss Marilyn Miller; commissioned 4 October, Lt. J. W. Starbuck, Jr., in command.

YMS-362 spent its first year of commissioned life in training on the eastern coast of the United States. She departed Norfolk, Va., and the Atlantic Fleet 19 October 1944 and arrived at Pearl Harbor 25 November for war duty. She swept mines in support of the invasion of Iwo Jima 17 February 1945, destroying two enemy machine gun emplacements ashore as the invasion began. Her minesweeping patrols continued around the Japanese home islands until 28 December, when YMS-362 began passage for her return to Charleston, S.C., arriving in late May l946

After overhaul and refitting, she took up duties with the Atlantic Fleet as a unit attached to the U.S. Naval Mine craft Base at Charleston. During a second refitting, on 17 February 1947 YMS-362 was renamed and redesignated Hawk (AMS-17). Reclassified a second time as MSC(O)-17 on 7 February 1955, Hawk continued her service as a minesweeping training ship until she was struck from the Naval Register 17 October 1957.

Hawk received four battle stars for her service in World War II.