USS Navasota (AO-106)

• Namesake: USS Navasota (AO-106) was named after the Navasota River in Texas, following the Navy tradition of naming oilers after rivers. • World War II Construction: The ship was laid down late in World War II, on November 6, 1944, by the Marinship Corporation in Sausalito, California. • Commissioning: She was launched on February 17, 1945, and commissioned into service on June 14, 1945, just months before the end of World War II. • Shuttle Runs for the Pacific Fleet: In her early service, USS Navasota made several shuttle runs transporting fuel oil and aviation gasoline across the Pacific, supplying bases and other vessels. • Korean War Service: During the Korean War, she supported United Nations forces by refueling ships at sea, helping maintain the naval blockade and bombardment of North Korea. • Operation "Passage to Freedom": In 1954, Navasota participated in Operation "Passage to Freedom," assisting in the evacuation of Vietnamese civilians, troops, and non-Vietnamese from North to South Vietnam following the country's partition. • Underway Replenishment Pioneer: Navasota helped pioneer the modern concept of underway replenishment, where ships are refueled at sea, greatly increasing the operational range and endurance of the U.S. Navy fleet. • Vietnam War Deployments: She made multiple deployments to Vietnam, providing crucial fuel support to U.S. Navy and allied ships during combat operations in the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin. • Jumboization: In 1963-1964, the USS Navasota underwent "jumboization," where the original midsection was replaced with a larger one, significantly increasing her fuel capacity and overall length. • Decommissioning and Final Fate: After distinguished service spanning four decades, Navasota was decommissioned on September 20, 1975, and ultimately struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1992. She was scrapped in 1995.