USS Rigel

• Two Ships Named USS Rigel: The name USS Rigel has been assigned to two different U.S. Navy ships: USS Rigel (AD-13), a destroyer tender launched in 1918, and USS Rigel (AF-58), a stores ship launched in 1954. • Named After a Star: Both ships were named after Rigel, the brightest star in the constellation Orion, continuing the Navy tradition of celestial naming for support vessels. • WWII Service: USS Rigel (AD-13) played a vital support role during World War II, tending and repairing destroyers and other vessels in the Pacific Theater, including at Pearl Harbor after the attack. • Pearl Harbor Survivor: On December 7, 1941, AD-13 was present at Pearl Harbor and survived the attack unscathed, quickly assisting with rescue and salvage operations. • Floating Workshop: Rigel (AD-13) was equipped with extensive repair shops, making her a “floating workshop” capable of performing complex repairs on a variety of ships in forward areas. • Battle Stars: For her service in WWII, USS Rigel (AD-13) earned four battle stars, a testament to her significant contributions during major campaigns. • Korean & Vietnam War Service: USS Rigel (AF-58) provided logistical support during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, supplying fresh and frozen foods to ships at sea and remote bases. • Fast Combat Support: AF-58 was designed to deliver supplies at high speeds, keeping pace with modern carrier task forces, and was capable of transferring supplies via both underway replenishment and helicopter. • Decommissioning and Fate: AD-13 was decommissioned in 1946 and eventually scrapped, while AF-58 was decommissioned in 1992 and later sold for scrapping in 2008. • Legacy of Service: Both USS Rigel ships exemplified the importance of support and logistics in naval operations, ensuring frontline warships remained supplied and battle-ready during critical moments in 20th-century conflicts.