About this Unit
The USS Arneb (AKA/LKA-56) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. She played a vital role in World War II, participating in the Pacific campaign and supporting amphibious operations by delivering troops, equipment, and supplies. After the war, Arneb served in the Korean War and was later redesignated as an amphibious cargo ship (LKA-56) in 1969. The ship also supported Operation Deep Freeze, aiding Antarctic expeditions, before being decommissioned in 1971.
Historical Facts
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Namesake and Origin: USS Arneb (AKA-56/LKA-56) was named after Arneb, a star in the constellation Lepus. She was originally laid down as Mormacpenn before being acquired and converted by the U.S. Navy.
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World War II Service: Arneb was commissioned in September 1943 and played a crucial role in multiple amphibious operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II, including the invasions of Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa.
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Operation Crossroads: In 1946, Arneb participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, supporting the logistics of this historic nuclear test series.
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Korean War Involvement: Reactivated during the Korean War, Arneb transported troops, vehicles, and supplies to support United Nations operations on the Korean Peninsula.
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Antarctic Expeditions: Arneb became famous for her repeated deployments to Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze, supporting the establishment and resupply of scientific bases, including McMurdo Station, from 1955 through the 1960s.
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Surviving a Fierce Antarctic Storm: In 1956, Arneb rode out a violent storm off the Antarctic coast, sustaining damage but successfully completing her mission—a testament to the crew's seamanship and the ship's resilience.
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Redesignation: In 1969, she was redesignated from AKA-56 (Attack Cargo Ship) to LKA-56 (Amphibious Cargo Ship), reflecting changes in Navy classification and operational roles.
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Support for Apollo Missions: Arneb supported the recovery of space capsules during the 1960s, contributing to the U.S. space program by participating in recovery operations for unmanned test capsules.
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Longest-Serving Ship of Her Class: By the time of her decommissioning in 1971, USS Arneb held the distinction of being one of the longest-serving ships in the Andromeda-class, with nearly 28 years of service.
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Awarded Multiple Honors: Over her long career, Arneb earned numerous battle stars and campaign medals for her service in World War II, the Korean War, and her contributions to polar exploration.
