USS PROTEUS

• Namesake: USS Proteus is named after the Greek god Proteus, known for his ability to change shape and foretell the future, reflecting adaptability and support—key traits for a submarine tender. • Class and Hull Number: USS Proteus (AS-19) was a Fulton-class submarine tender, launched on November 12, 1942. • World War II Service: The ship served in the Pacific during WWII, providing repair and logistical support to submarines engaged in combat operations against Japan. • Atomic Bomb Support: Proteus was present at Tinian Island in July 1945 and played a support role for the submarines involved in the atomic bomb missions, as Tinian was the launch site for the Enola Gay. • Guam Overhaul: In 1959-1960, USS Proteus underwent an extensive conversion at Charleston Naval Shipyard to support Polaris Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines, becoming the world’s first missile tender. • Submarine Squadron 15: After conversion, Proteus served as the flagship and main tender for Submarine Squadron 15 at Apra Harbor, Guam, supporting the US nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. • Vietnam War Support: Proteus provided support to submarines and surface ships operating in the Vietnam War, reflecting its versatile logistical capabilities. • Women at Sea: In 1978, Proteus became one of the first US Navy ships to embark female sailors for regular duty, marking an important milestone in Navy integration. • Longest Service: By the time of her decommissioning in 1992, Proteus had served nearly 50 years, making her one of the longest-serving submarine tenders in US Navy history. • Final Fate: After decommissioning, Proteus was transferred to the US Maritime Administration and later scrapped in 2007, but her legacy lives on in the many submarines and sailors she supported.