About this Unit
USS **Bryce Canyon (AD-36)** was a Shenandoah-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1950. Named after Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, she provided vital repair, maintenance, and logistical support to destroyers and other ships, primarily in the Pacific Fleet. During the Korean War and throughout the Cold War, Bryce Canyon operated out of ports such as Pearl Harbor, Yokosuka, and Subic Bay, supporting fleet operations and enhancing naval readiness. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1981 and later sold for scrap.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36) was named after Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, reflecting the US Navy’s tradition of naming destroyer tenders after national parks.
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Construction and Launch: The ship was laid down on July 7, 1944, at the Charleston Navy Yard but wasn't launched until March 7, 1946, due to delays from the end of World War II.
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Commissioning: Although launched in 1946, USS Bryce Canyon was not commissioned until September 15, 1950, at the onset of the Korean War.
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Korean War Service: The ship provided critical repair and supply services to destroyers and other vessels in the Pacific Fleet during the Korean War, playing a vital support role.
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Home Port Bases: Bryce Canyon was homeported at both Long Beach and San Diego, California, but was also frequently deployed to Pearl Harbor and Yokosuka, Japan.
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Western Pacific Deployments: The ship made numerous deployments to the Western Pacific, especially to Japan and the Philippines, supporting US Navy operations during the Cold War era.
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Role as a Destroyer Tender: As a destroyer tender, USS Bryce Canyon served as a floating maintenance and supply base, repairing everything from engines to electronics for frontline destroyers.
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Humanitarian and Community Service: While stationed overseas, crew members often participated in community relations projects, such as assisting at orphanages and schools in Japan and the Philippines.
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Decommissioning: USS Bryce Canyon was decommissioned on June 30, 1981, after over 30 years of service, and was later struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1989.
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Final Fate: In 1982, she was sold for scrap, ending her long and distinguished career as one of the US Navy's vital support ships during both war and peacetime.
