USS Nitro (AE-23)

• Namesake and Class: USS Nitro (AE-23) was the lead ship of the Nitro-class ammunition ships, named after the highly explosive compound "nitro," reflecting her purpose as a provider of munitions. • Launch and Commissioning: The ship was launched on November 25, 1957, at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in Sparrows Point, Maryland, and commissioned into the U.S. Navy on May 1, 1959. • Nuclear Age Service: The Nitro was built during the height of the Cold War to support the U.S. fleet with rapid replenishment of conventional and nuclear munitions at sea. • Vietnam War Support: During the Vietnam War, USS Nitro played a pivotal role in supplying ammunition to combat ships participating in shore bombardment operations and airstrikes. • Operation Desert Storm: USS Nitro was deployed during Operation Desert Storm (1991), providing critical ammunition resupply to U.S. and allied naval forces in the Persian Gulf. • Collision Incident: In 1965, USS Nitro collided with the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CV-38) during an underway replenishment. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but both ships sustained damage. • Home Ports: Over her career, Nitro was homeported at several locations, including Davisville, Rhode Island, and later in Earle, New Jersey. • Medal and Commendations: Nitro and her crew earned multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. • Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned on April 28, 1995, after 36 years of service and was later scrapped in 2008. • Legacy and Crew Association: Former crew members maintain the USS Nitro Association, preserving the ship’s history and fostering camaraderie through reunions and historical projects.