About this Unit
USS Rainier (AE-5) was an ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1941. Throughout World War II, she played a critical logistics role, supplying ammunition to Allied naval forces in the Pacific Theater, including during major campaigns such as Guadalcanal and the Philippines. After the war, Rainier was decommissioned, but was later recommissioned for service during the Korean War and again during the Vietnam War, continuing her vital support missions. Rainier was finally decommissioned in 1970, having earned numerous battle stars for her dedicated service across three major conflicts.
Historical Facts
• Namesake: USS Rainier (AE-5) was named after Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in the state of Washington, following the tradition of naming ammunition ships after volcanoes.
• Class: She was a Lassen-class ammunition ship, designed to carry and supply ammunition to combat ships at sea.
• WWII Service: USS Rainier played a crucial role in World War II, supplying ammunition to the Pacific Fleet during major operations, including the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
• Commissioning: Rainier was commissioned on December 21, 1941, just two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, making her part of the rapid naval expansion following the outbreak of war.
• Kamikaze Threats: During operations near Okinawa, Rainier operated under constant threat from Japanese kamikaze attacks, emphasizing the dangerous nature of her mission while carrying volatile cargo.
• Post-War Service: After World War II, Rainier was decommissioned but reactivated for service during the Korean War and again for the Vietnam War, reflecting her enduring value to the fleet.
• Vietnam War: In Vietnam, she supplied ammunition to ships engaged in shore bombardment and air operations, supporting the intense combat operations in Southeast Asia.
• Record-Setting Replenishments: Rainier set records for the number of underway replenishments completed, often servicing multiple ships simultaneously while at sea.
• Final Decommissioning: USS Rainier was finally decommissioned in 1970 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1976, ending nearly three decades of intermittent service.
• Legacy: The ship and her crews were awarded multiple battle stars for their service in three major wars, and her legacy continued with the commissioning of a new ammunition ship, USS Rainier (AE-177), in 1967.
