About this Unit
USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) was a Currituck-class seaplane tender commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1945. Although too late for combat service in World War II, she played a crucial support role during the Korean War, tending seaplanes engaged in reconnaissance and patrol missions. The ship also operated extensively throughout the Pacific, supporting U.S. naval aviation and participating in Cold War operations, including deployments to Taiwan and Vietnam. USS Salisbury Sound was decommissioned in 1967, having served as a vital asset for maritime patrol and seaplane operations during her active years.
Historical Facts
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Seaplane Tender Origins: USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) was a Currituck-class seaplane tender, commissioned on November 26, 1945, designed to support seaplane operations by providing repair, refueling, and resupply at sea.
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Post-WWII Service: Although completed too late to participate in World War II combat, Salisbury Sound became instrumental in postwar U.S. Navy operations throughout the Pacific.
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Korean War Deployment: The ship served as a mobile base for patrol bombers (PBYs and P5Ms) during the Korean War, conducting reconnaissance, search and rescue, and anti-submarine missions.
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Taiwan Strait Patrols: Salisbury Sound was heavily involved in supporting U.S. and Nationalist Chinese seaplane operations during the tense Taiwan Strait Crises of the 1950s.
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Operation Market Time: During the Vietnam War, Salisbury Sound participated in Operation Market Time, providing seaplane tenders and logistics to patrol aircraft combating Viet Cong supply lines.
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Flagship Duties: The ship often served as flagship for Commander, Patrol Force Seventh Fleet, overseeing seaplane and reconnaissance operations across the Western Pacific.
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Humanitarian Missions: In 1956, Salisbury Sound assisted in evacuating civilians and providing aid during the Quemoy-Matsu Crisis, a major Cold War flashpoint.
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Exotic Ports of Call: The crew visited numerous Asian ports, including Hong Kong, Manila, Yokosuka, and Kaohsiung, fostering diplomatic relations as part of the U.S. Navy’s “show the flag” missions.
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Decommissioning and Fate: Salisbury Sound was decommissioned on March 31, 1967, after over two decades of service, and was later sold for scrap in 1968.
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Legacy: Known for her reliability and the camaraderie of her crews, Salisbury Sound is remembered at reunions and by military historians as a vital part of Cold War naval aviation history.
