About this Unit
USS Aldebaran (AF-10) was a stores ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1941. Originally built as the SS Stag Hound in 1939, she was acquired and converted by the Navy to support fleet operations by transporting refrigerated stores and dry provisions. During World War II, Aldebaran served extensively in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, supplying vital goods to naval forces and remote bases. She continued her service after the war, supporting occupation forces and later participating in Korean War logistics, before being decommissioned in 1954.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Namesake: USS Aldebaran (AF-10) was named after Aldebaran, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, located in the constellation Taurus. This celestial naming tradition was common for supply ships.
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Pre-Navy Career: The ship was originally built as SS Stag Hound in 1939 by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company for the United Fruit Company before being acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1940.
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Reclassification: Upon acquisition by the Navy, she was converted to a stores ship and commissioned as USS Aldebaran (AF-10) in December 1940, ready to supply the fleet with perishable foods and dry stores.
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Pearl Harbor Connection: Aldebaran was en route to Honolulu with food supplies when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and arrived two days later to support the devastated base.
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Service in Major Theaters: Throughout World War II, Aldebaran operated in the Pacific, supporting campaigns in the Solomon Islands, Marianas, Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, crucially keeping frontline ships supplied.
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Admiral Halsey’s Praise: Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey once commented on the essential role of supply ships like Aldebaran, stating “without them, the fleet would have been dead in the water.”
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Endurance and Reliability: During her World War II service, Aldebaran traveled over 200,000 miles and delivered more than 150,000 tons of supplies, earning praise for her reliability and the crew’s hard work.
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Korean War Service: Aldebaran was recommissioned for service during the Korean War and again supplied the U.S. 7th Fleet and United Nations forces, cementing her reputation as a workhorse of the supply fleet.
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Decorations and Awards: For her World War II service, USS Aldebaran earned five battle stars, a testament to the ship’s significant contribution to combat operations.
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Final Fate: After being decommissioned in 1954, Aldebaran was placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet and eventually sold for scrapping in 1974, ending a distinguished career that spanned two major conflicts.
