USS Dixie (AD-14)

• Commissioning and Namesake: USS Dixie (AD-14) was commissioned on 25 April 1940. She was the third ship in the US Navy to bear the name "Dixie," named after the southern United States. • Role as a Destroyer Tender: USS Dixie was designed to provide maintenance, repair, and logistical support to destroyers and other small ships, acting as a floating shipyard and supply base. • Pearl Harbor Survivor: USS Dixie was present at Pearl Harbor during the infamous attack on December 7, 1941. She was not damaged during the attack and quickly began supporting the Pacific Fleet's recovery. • World War II Service: Throughout World War II, Dixie served at multiple forward bases in the Pacific, including Nouméa, Espiritu Santo, and Ulithi, providing critical support to combat ships. • Kamikaze Attacks: While stationed at Ulithi, the Dixie narrowly escaped damage from Japanese kamikaze attacks, highlighting the constant danger even support ships faced. • Korean War Contribution: USS Dixie supported United Nations naval forces during the Korean War, operating primarily out of ports in Japan and Korea to keep destroyers and escorts combat-ready. • Vietnam War Service: During the Vietnam War, Dixie served as a tender for ships operating in the South China Sea, again demonstrating her versatility and value in multiple conflicts. • Longest Serving Tender: At the time of her decommissioning, USS Dixie held the record as the longest-serving destroyer tender in the US Navy, with over 39 years of continuous service. • Homeport in San Diego: For much of her career, Dixie was homeported in San Diego, California, and became a familiar sight to generations of sailors and locals. • Final Fate: USS Dixie was decommissioned on 15 June 1982 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register. She was sold for scrapping in 1983, ending a remarkable era of naval support and service.