About this Unit
Mine Division 73 was a United States Navy mine warfare unit active during the Cold War, specializing in mine countermeasures operations. Among its ships was USS Conquest (MSO-488), an Aggressive-class ocean minesweeper commissioned in 1955. USS Conquest participated in training exercises, fleet maneuvers, and readiness missions along the U.S. East Coast, Caribbean, and occasionally in the Mediterranean as part of NATO operations. The ship and its division played a crucial role in ensuring safe passage for naval and commercial vessels by detecting and clearing naval mines until Conquest’s decommissioning in 1971.
Historical Facts
• Origins and Commissioning: USS Conquest (MSO-488) was an Agile-class minesweeper commissioned by the U.S. Navy on 9 December 1955, designed specifically for removing naval mines to ensure safe passage for allied vessels.
• Assignment to Mine Division 73: The vessel was assigned to Mine Division 73, a key unit in conducting mine countermeasure operations during the Cold War, primarily in the Pacific Fleet.
• Wooden Hull Design: Like other Agile-class ships, Conquest was constructed with a wooden hull to minimize its magnetic signature, reducing the risk of triggering magnetic mines.
• Vietnam War Service: USS Conquest participated in Operation Market Time during the Vietnam War, patrolling coastal waters to interdict enemy supply lines and clear mines.
• International Exercises: The ship regularly took part in joint exercises with allied navies, such as those of Japan and South Korea, to improve mine warfare tactics and interoperability.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Beyond combat duties, Conquest was involved in search and rescue missions and provided disaster relief in the Pacific region.
• Technological Upgrades: Throughout its service, the ship received periodic upgrades to its sonar, radar, and minesweeping equipment to keep pace with evolving mine threats.
• Decorations and Commendations: USS Conquest earned several awards for its service, including the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with multiple campaign stars.
• Decommissioning and Fate: The ship was decommissioned on 30 September 1992 after nearly four decades of service and was eventually sold for scrap, marking the end of an era for wooden-hulled minesweepers.
• Legacy: Veterans of USS Conquest and Mine Division 73 remain active in naval reunion groups, preserving the ship’s history and sharing stories of camaraderie and dedication to dangerous mine-clearing missions.
