USS Haven (AH-12)

• Hospital Ship Service: USS Haven (AH-12) was a Haven-class hospital ship commissioned by the US Navy during World War II, serving as a floating hospital for wounded military personnel. • Launched in 1944: Haven was launched on 24 July 1944 and commissioned on 5 May 1945, just months before the end of World War II. • Pacific Theater Operations: USS Haven primarily served in the Pacific, providing crucial medical care during the final stages of World War II, including at Okinawa and post-war Japan. • Operation Magic Carpet: After the war, Haven participated in Operation Magic Carpet, helping to repatriate thousands of American servicemen from the Pacific back to the United States. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, USS Haven treated thousands of wounded soldiers and became one of the busiest hospital ships during the conflict. • Atomic Testing Support: Haven was present at Bikini Atoll during Operation Crossroads in 1946, prepared to provide medical assistance during atomic bomb tests. • Medical Innovations: As a modern hospital ship of her time, USS Haven was equipped with state-of-the-art surgical suites, X-ray facilities, and could accommodate over 700 patients. • Humanitarian Missions: Apart from combat operations, Haven also provided humanitarian aid and medical care to civilians in post-war Japan and Korea. • Decommissioning and Later Use: USS Haven was finally decommissioned in 1957, but her hulk was later used as a floating hospital in Long Beach, California, under the name "Pacific Hospital." • Notable Honors: The ship and her crew received multiple commendations for their service, including battle stars for World War II and Korean War service.