USS Pine Island (AV-12)

• Seaplane Tender Legacy: USS Pine Island (AV-12) was a Currituck-class seaplane tender, built to support and maintain seaplanes such as the PBY Catalina and PBM Mariner during World War II and beyond. • World War II Service: Commissioned in April 1945, Pine Island served in the Pacific Theater, arriving at Okinawa in August 1945 to support air operations right after Japan’s surrender. • Operation Highjump: In 1946-47, Pine Island participated in the famous U.S. Navy Antarctic expedition, Operation Highjump, providing seaplane support for photographic mapping and exploration. • Antarctic Firsts: The ship’s crew aided in the first aerial mapping of previously unexplored regions of Antarctica, making history in aviation and polar exploration. • Korean War Duties: During the Korean War, Pine Island supported reconnaissance and rescue seaplane operations in the Sea of Japan and off the Korean coast. • Pioneering Helicopter Operations: Pine Island was among the Navy ships experimenting with helicopter operations, marking a transition period in naval aviation. • Far East Service: She conducted multiple deployments to the Western Pacific, supporting patrol squadrons in Japan, the Philippines, and China during the early Cold War period. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship assisted in search-and-rescue operations and provided relief during natural disasters, including typhoons in the Pacific. • Awards and Honors: Pine Island earned two battle stars for her Korean War service and received the Navy Occupation Service Medal for her post-WWII activities. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Pine Island was decommissioned in 1967 after over two decades of service, and was eventually sold for scrapping in 1971, closing the chapter on an accomplished naval career.