USS Klondike (AR-22)

• Namesake: USS Klondike (AR-22) was named after the Klondike River in Alaska, famous for the Klondike Gold Rush. • Class and Type: She was the lead ship of the Klondike-class destroyer tenders, designed to provide maintenance and repair services to destroyers and other small warships. • World War II Service: Commissioned on July 9, 1945, USS Klondike entered service just as World War II was ending, limiting her active combat participation. • Pacific Fleet Assignment: After shakedown, she sailed to the Pacific, supporting the post-war occupation efforts in Japan and other areas. • Korean War Support: Klondike played a vital support role during the Korean War, providing repair services to warships operating in the Far East. • Nickname: The ship was affectionately known as the "Klondike" by her crew, who took pride in her mission to keep the fleet operational. • Homeport: For much of her career, USS Klondike operated out of San Diego, California, serving as a main repair ship for the Pacific Fleet. • Multiple Reclassifications: Originally commissioned as a destroyer tender (AD-22), she was reclassified as a repair ship (AR-22) in March 1960, reflecting her broader repair capabilities. • Vietnam War Era: Klondike served during the Vietnam War era, providing essential repair and logistical support for ships deployed in Southeast Asia. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Klondike was decommissioned on June 15, 1970, after 25 years of service, and was eventually sold for scrapping in 1974.