USS Paracutin

• USS Paracutin (AE-18) was a Mount Hood-class ammunition ship of the United States Navy, named after the Parícutin volcano in Mexico. • Commissioned in 1945, the USS Paracutin was launched on February 1, 1945, by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, Wilmington, North Carolina. • World War II Service: Although commissioned during World War II, Paracutin arrived in the Pacific late and primarily supported post-war occupation forces in Japan. • Ammunition Supply Role: The ship’s primary mission was to transport and transfer ammunition to other vessels at sea, a vital but dangerous task. • Korean War Support: During the Korean War, Paracutin supplied ammunition to U.S. and UN naval forces, greatly contributing to sustained operations off the Korean Peninsula. • Far East Deployments: The ship made multiple deployments to the Western Pacific, supplying the 7th Fleet and supporting various operations during the Cold War. • Dangerous Cargo: As an ammunition ship, Paracutin carried high explosives; strict safety protocols were enforced, and the crew’s work was considered especially hazardous. • Decommissioning: USS Paracutin was decommissioned on July 10, 1962, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on July 1, 1966. • Final Fate: After decommissioning, the ship was sold for scrap in 1967, ending her naval service. • Legacy: USS Paracutin earned one battle star for her service during the Korean War, highlighting her contributions to U.S. Navy operations during a critical period.