About this Unit
The **USS Norton Sound (AVM-1)** was originally commissioned as a seaplane tender in 1945, serving in the Pacific theater during the final months of World War II. After the war, she was converted into a missile test ship, playing a critical role in the development and testing of naval missile systems, including the Terrier, Tartar, and Polaris programs. Throughout the Cold War, the Norton Sound was at the forefront of technological innovation, supporting research and evaluation of advanced weapons and radar systems. She was decommissioned in 1986 after more than four decades of distinguished service, leaving a lasting impact on naval aviation and missile development.
Historical Facts
• Seaplane Tender Origins: The USS Norton Sound (AV-11) was originally commissioned in 1945 as a seaplane tender, designed to provide maintenance and support for seaplanes during World War II.
• Named After Norton Sound, Alaska: The ship was named after the Norton Sound, a large inlet of the Bering Sea on the western coast of Alaska.
• Conversion to Missile Test Ship: In 1948, Norton Sound was redesignated AVM-1 and extensively converted to serve as the world’s first guided missile test ship as part of the Navy’s burgeoning missile program.
• Role in Operation Sandstone: Norton Sound participated in Operation Sandstone in 1948, a series of atomic bomb tests conducted at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific.
• Testing Ground for Terrier and Tartar Missiles: The ship was a key test platform for the Navy’s Terrier and Tartar surface-to-air missile systems, which became mainstays of fleet air defense.
• Launch Platform for Vanguard Satellite: Norton Sound launched America’s second satellite, Vanguard 1, on March 17, 1958, marking a milestone in the U.S. space program.
• Polaris Missile Trials: The ship was instrumental in the early sea-based tests of the Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) system, paving the way for the Navy’s nuclear deterrence capability.
• Participation in Apollo Program: Norton Sound supported the Apollo space program by testing recovery and tracking systems for the manned moon missions.
• Longest Serving Missile Test Ship: The vessel served as a missile test ship for over three decades, making it one of the longest-serving ships in this capacity in U.S. Navy history.
• Decommissioning and Legacy: USS Norton Sound was decommissioned in 1986, after 41 years of service, having played a vital role in the evolution of naval aviation, missile defense, and the U.S. space program.
