About this Unit
USS Caliente (AO-53) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. Throughout World War II, she provided vital underway replenishment to combat ships in the Pacific theater, supporting major operations from the Marianas to Okinawa. After the war, Caliente continued her service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, supplying fuel to naval forces engaged in combat and patrol duties. Decommissioned in 1973, USS Caliente earned multiple battle stars for her distinguished service across three decades and several major conflicts.
Historical Facts
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Commissioning: USS Caliente (AO-53) was commissioned on 22 October 1943, serving as a Cimarron-class fleet oiler for the United States Navy during World War II and beyond.
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Namesake: The ship was named after the Caliente River in California, following the tradition of naming oilers after rivers with "oil" or "fuel" connotations.
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World War II Service: Caliente played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater, providing vital underway replenishment of fuel to the U.S. fleet during major operations including the Marianas, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa campaigns.
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Kamikaze Threats: While conducting refueling operations near Okinawa, Caliente often operated under threat of Japanese kamikaze attacks, but managed to avoid serious damage throughout the war.
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Operation Crossroads: In 1946, USS Caliente participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, supplying fuel to ships involved in the operation.
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Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, Caliente refueled ships off the Korean coast, supporting United Nations operations from 1950 to 1953.
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Vietnam War Deployments: The ship saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, conducting multiple deployments to the Western Pacific to support the U.S. Seventh Fleet.
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Longest Commissioned Oiler: By the time she was decommissioned in 1973, Caliente was one of the longest-serving oilers in the U.S. Navy, with nearly 30 years of continuous service.
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Rescue Operations: In 1960, Caliente rescued the crew of a burning merchant ship, the SS Pine Ridge, in the Pacific, demonstrating the versatility and bravery of her crew.
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Battle Stars: For her service, USS Caliente earned eight battle stars for World War II, five for the Korean War, and nine campaign stars for Vietnam, reflecting her significant contributions across three major conflicts.
