USS Mississinewa (AO-144)

• Commissioned in the Cold War Era: USS Mississinewa (AO-144) was commissioned on January 18, 1955, serving as a fleet oiler for the United States Navy during a critical period of the Cold War. • Neosho-class Oiler: She belonged to the Neosho-class of oilers, designed to refuel other ships at sea, greatly extending the operational range of the U.S. fleet. • Named After a River: The ship was the second U.S. Navy vessel named for the Mississinewa River in Indiana, honoring the river’s historical significance. • Flagship of Service Squadron 2: USS Mississinewa served as the flagship for Service Squadron 2, coordinating logistics for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. • Support During Crises: She provided essential refueling support during international crises, including the Lebanon crisis in 1958 and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. • Rapid Replenishment Capabilities: Mississinewa could simultaneously refuel multiple ships at sea, a vital capability for carrier task forces and amphibious groups. • Global Deployments: The ship operated throughout the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean, participating in numerous NATO and U.S. exercises. • Collision Incident: In 1960, USS Mississinewa was involved in a minor collision with USS Shangri-La (CV-38) during an underway replenishment, highlighting the dangers of complex at-sea operations. • Women in the Crew: In the late 1970s, Mississinewa became one of the first Navy ships to include women in her crew, marking a significant milestone in naval integration. • Decommissioning and Fate: She was decommissioned on November 15, 1991, after 36 years of service, and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register and scrapped in 1995.