USS Norton Sound (AVM1-)

• 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.