USS Nantahala (AO-60

• Class and Type: USS Nantahala (AO-60) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler, designed to refuel warships at sea during World War II and beyond. • Namesake: The ship was named after the Nantahala River in western North Carolina, with "Nantahala" meaning "Land of the Noonday Sun" in Cherokee. • Launch and Commission: Nantahala was launched on October 25, 1943, by the Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Shipyard in Maryland, and commissioned on January 6, 1944. • World War II Service: The oiler played a vital role in the Pacific Theater, providing fuel to the fast carrier task forces supporting major operations such as the Marianas Campaign and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. • Kamikaze Threats: While operating in the Pacific, Nantahala was often in harm’s way, facing the threat of Japanese kamikaze attacks while refueling frontline combat ships. • Postwar Operations: After WWII, the vessel continued service, supporting Operation Magic Carpet, which brought U.S. servicemen back home from the Pacific. • Korean War Service: Nantahala was recommissioned for the Korean War, supplying fuel to United Nations naval forces involved in the conflict. • Cold War Deployments: The ship remained active during the Cold War, participating in numerous exercises and operations with the U.S. Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets. • Final Years: USS Nantahala was decommissioned for the last time in 1973 after nearly three decades of service and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1977. • Legacy: For her service in WWII, USS Nantahala earned five battle stars, reflecting her significant contributions to the Allied victory in the Pacific.