About this Unit
USS Annapolis (AGMR-1) was originally commissioned as USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier that served in World War II. In 1963, she was converted and reclassified as AGMR-1, an Auxiliary General Major Relay ship, to serve as a floating communications relay station. During the Vietnam War, USS Annapolis played a critical role in providing advanced communications support to U.S. and allied naval forces in the Western Pacific, enhancing command and control capabilities. She was decommissioned in 1976, marking the end of her distinguished service as both an escort carrier and a communications relay ship.
Historical Facts
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First of Her Kind: USS Annapolis (AGMR-1) was the first United States Navy ship specifically designed and built as an Auxiliary General Major Relay (AGMR), a floating communications relay station.
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Converted from a Cruiser: Annapolis started life as the Cleveland-class light cruiser USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) before being extensively converted to her new role as AGMR-1 in the early 1960s.
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Vietnam War Service: The USS Annapolis played a crucial role during the Vietnam War by providing vital communications links between ships at sea and command centers ashore, ensuring the flow of information in combat zones.
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Nickname “The Can-Do Ship”: Owing to her mission success and the crew’s versatility, Annapolis earned the nickname “The Can-Do Ship” while deployed in the Western Pacific.
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Advanced Communications Tech: She was outfitted with state-of-the-art (for her time) communication equipment, including satellite and high-frequency radio systems, making her one of the most advanced communications ships in the world.
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Flagship Duties: Annapolis occasionally served as a flagship for the Commander, Seventh Fleet, further highlighting her importance in naval operations.
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Unusual Crew Mix: The ship’s crew included not only sailors but also a significant number of Navy Communications Technicians who operated the sophisticated electronic equipment.
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Mail and Morale: Annapolis served as a mail relay, handling thousands of personal messages for sailors and Marines deployed on combat missions, directly impacting morale.
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Decommissioning and Fate: After years of service, USS Annapolis was decommissioned in 1976 and was eventually scrapped in 1984, ending her unique chapter in naval history.
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Legacy: The success of Annapolis paved the way for future generations of Navy communications ships, influencing the design and concept of modern command and control vessels.
