USS Ponchatoula (AO-148)

• Namesake: USS Ponchatoula (AO-148) was named after the city of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, following the tradition of naming oilers after rivers or cities with Native American names. • Class and Role: She was a Neosho-class fleet oiler, designed to refuel ships at sea and support carrier task forces during extended operations. • Commissioning: Ponchatoula was commissioned on 12 January 1956 at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey. • Vietnam War Service: She played a significant role during the Vietnam War, providing underway replenishment to the U.S. Seventh Fleet and supporting combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin. • Record-setting Replenishment: Ponchatoula set a record in 1967 by refueling 16 ships in a single day, showcasing the logistical prowess of U.S. Navy oilers. • Apollo Program Support: In 1966 and 1971, Ponchatoula participated in recovery operations for Apollo space missions, providing logistical support for the recovery task force. • Operation Frequent Wind: Ponchatoula was present during the evacuation of Saigon in April 1975, supporting U.S. Navy ships involved in Operation Frequent Wind. • Collision Incident: In 1976, Ponchatoula was involved in a minor collision with the USS Camden (AOE-2) during underway replenishment in the Pacific, resulting in only minor damage and no casualties. • Decommissioning: She was decommissioned on 31 August 1992 after more than 36 years of service, and was later struck from the Naval Vessel Register. • Final Fate: After being laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, California, Ponchatoula was sold for scrapping in 2014, marking the end of her distinguished career.