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

(1969) Vol. 4, pp.445-446.





MOUNT KATMAI





	A semi-active volcano in Alaska.





AE-16

Displacement:  14,400 t. (fully loaded)

Length:  459’1”

Beam:  63’

Draft:  28’

Speed:  15.5 k.

Complement:  290

Armament:  4 3”

Class:  MOUNT HOOD

Maritime Commission Standard Type:  C2-S-AJ1





	MOUNT KATMAI (AE-16) was laid down 11 November 1944 by 

North Carolina Shipbuilding Co., Wilmington, N.C.; launched 

6 January 1945; sponsored by Mrs. A. E. DeMaray; and 

commissioned 21 July 1945 at Jacksonville, Fla., Comdr. C. 

H. Ross in command.



	After shakedown and fitting out, AE-16 reported to 

Commander, Service Force, Atlantic Fleet 8 September 1945.  

She was then ordered to proceed to Hawaii via the Panama 

Canal.  The ammunition ship was assigned to the western 

Pacific from there, arriving Leyte in mid-October 1945.



	MOUNT KATMAI was involved in normal support operation 

off the Pacific coast when the Korean war began.  On 22 July 

1950 she deployed from San Francisco to WestPac, arriving in 

the combat zone 18 August.  She rearmed and replenished 

combatant ships of TFs 77 and 95 in the Yellow Sea and the 

Sea of Japan.  Returning home in November 1951, she departed 

again for the Korean War theater in April 1952, again 

supporting units of TFs 77 and 95.  Back in the United 

States in February 1953, she sailed again for the Far East 

May 1953.  During this deployment, she rearmed approximately 

50 ships before the war ended.



	Following the armistice, AE-16 returned to CONUS for 

overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.  She got underway 

for the Far East in May 1954 for a 6-month tour, the first 

of nine WestPac deployments in the following decade, in 

which she alternated service on the west coast with 

operations in the Orient helping to preserve peace and deter 

Communist aggression.



	In December 1964 MOUNT KATMAI commenced an extensive 

overhaul period, including installation of increased 

communications capabilities and a helicopter deck for 

vertical replenishment.



	On 26 February 1965, the ship departed San Francisco 

20 April, underway to a new war zone to replenish 7th Fleet 

ships.  She arrived Subic Bay 15 May via Pearl Harbor.  

Within a few days, she was underway for rearming operations 

in the South China Sea, servicing the carrier strike groups 

and combatant ships off Vietnam.  Operating out of Subic, 

MOUNT KATMAI provided logistical support to the operating 

forces until late November.  She departed Hong Kong 

1 December 1965, arriving San Francisco 16 December.



	Entering Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard 17 January 1966 

for overhaul, the ship returned to an operational status 

with Service Force, Pacific Fleet, 21 March.  She 

participated in type and 1st Fleet training operations until 

1 June when she deployed to WestPac.  After a short visit in 

Hawaii, she arrived in her WestPac home port of Subic Bay 

25 June.



	On 5 July she was underway for Yankee Station, for 

rearming carriers and their escorts.  In addition to 

providing aircraft ordnance for airstrikes against North 

Vietnam, the ship also provided ammunition for ships engaged 

in support and interdiction shore fire missions along the 

entire Vietnamese coast.



	Once more homeward bound, AE-16 was underway from Subic 

Bay 12 January 1967, arriving San Francisco 7 February.  

After overhaul In Mare Island Naval Shipyard until 19 July, 

and type training, the ammunition ship was ready to sail 

west again.



	Leaving San Francisco 7 August 1967, she arrived at 

Subic Bay 30 August via Pearl Harbor.  Rearming operations 

were conducted in the South China Sea and off the coast of 

Vietnam with carriers and fire support ships.



	MOUNT KATMAI was underway from Subic Bay 11 March 1968, 

and arrived San Francisco 28 March.  After a 3-month 

overhaul period and type training, she left San Francisco 

31 August and arrived back at Subic Bay 24 September.



	MOUNT KATMAI continues to provide ammunition to U.S. 

and Allied combatants off the coast of Vietnam into 1969. 



	MOUNT KATMAI received nine battle stars for Korean 

service.



	[Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 14 August 

1973, former MOUNT KATMAI was sold to the Maritime 

Administration as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet 

on 5 April 1974.]



Internet Web Site:

	Naval Vessel Register

		www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/AE16.htm





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com