About this Unit
USS Arcadia (AD-23) was a Dixie-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1945. Designed to provide maintenance and logistical support to destroyers, Arcadia served prominently during the post-World War II era, primarily in the Atlantic Fleet. Throughout her service, she participated in multiple fleet exercises, NATO operations, and deployments, including support roles during the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Arcadia was decommissioned in June 1968, after more than two decades of dedicated support to U.S. naval operations.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Arcadia (AD-23) was named after the town of Arcadia, Rhode Island, continuing the tradition of naming destroyer tenders after American towns.
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Class: She was a Dixie-class destroyer tender, designed to provide maintenance, repair, and logistics support to destroyers and other smaller warships.
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World War II Service: Commissioned on September 13, 1945, Arcadia missed combat in World War II but was quickly assigned to support the occupation forces in the Pacific.
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Cold War Operations: Throughout the Cold War, Arcadia served with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, supporting destroyers and other vessels with repairs, supplies, and technical services.
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Homeports: Her homeports included San Diego, California, and later Newport, Rhode Island, reflecting her changing operational focus between the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Arcadia played a key support role, assisting U.S. Navy ships enforcing the quarantine of Cuba.
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Vietnam War Support: Although she did not directly deploy to the Vietnam combat zone, Arcadia provided crucial logistical and repair support to ships rotating to and from Southeast Asia.
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Women at Sea: In the 1970s, Arcadia was among the first U.S. Navy ships to embark female sailors as part of the Navy's efforts to integrate women into shipboard roles.
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Decommissioning: After nearly 30 years of service, USS Arcadia was decommissioned on June 13, 1973, and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
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Legacy: The ship's bell and artifacts are preserved in museums and naval memorials, symbolizing decades of behind-the-scenes service that kept the U.S. fleet operational.
