About this Unit
**USS Alamagordo** was the name assigned to two different United States Navy ships during World War II. The first, **USS Alamagordo (AK-148)**, was a cargo ship launched in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theater, transporting supplies and equipment essential for Allied operations. The second, **USS Alamagordo (ARDM-2)**, was a floating drydock that provided vital repair services to naval vessels in forward areas. Both ships contributed significantly to the logistical and maintenance capabilities of the U.S. Navy during the war, ensuring fleet readiness and operational success.
Historical Facts
• Namesake: USS Alamagordo is named after the city of Alamogordo, New Mexico, which is famously known as the site near the first atomic bomb test (Trinity Site) in 1945.
• Ship Designation: The USS Alamagordo has had the designation PC-806, marking her as a Patrol Craft used by the United States Navy during World War II.
• Construction: She was laid down in 1943 by the Commercial Iron Works shipyard in Portland, Oregon, at a time when the U.S. was rapidly expanding its naval force.
• Launch and Commissioning: PC-806 was launched on 6 November 1943 and commissioned into service on 15 April 1944.
• World War II Service: USS Alamagordo (PC-806) served in the Pacific Theater, performing anti-submarine patrols, convoy escort duties, and radar picket operations.
• Post-war Fate: After World War II, the ship was decommissioned and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1960, reflecting the post-war drawdown of naval forces.
• Coastal Defense: During her service, USS Alamagordo was vital in protecting U.S. and Allied shipping lanes from enemy submarines and surface threats in the Pacific.
• Recognition: While not involved in major combat actions, the ship and her crew were recognized for their persistence and vigilance, contributing to the overall success of naval operations in WWII.
• Legacy: Despite her relatively brief service, USS Alamagordo stands as a testament to the crucial roles played by smaller, lesser-known naval craft during large-scale conflicts.
• Interesting Fact: The ship's connection to Alamogordo, New Mexico, ties it to one of the most significant events in military history—the dawn of the nuclear age at the Trinity test site.
