USS Sirius (AF-60)

• Origins: USS Sirius (AF-60) was originally built as SS Trade Wind in 1942 by Moore Dry Dock Company in Oakland, California, for the United States Maritime Commission. • Acquisition by the Navy: The U.S. Navy acquired the ship on 18 May 1956, converted her to a stores ship, and renamed her USS Sirius (AF-60). • Name Significance: Sirius is named after the brightest star in the night sky, continuing a U.S. Navy tradition of naming stores ships after celestial bodies. • Service Role: As a stores ship, USS Sirius played a crucial logistics role, delivering refrigerated and dry provisions to fleet units at sea and at remote bases. • Pacific Operations: After commissioning, Sirius operated primarily in the Pacific, supplying the U.S. 7th Fleet and supporting operations in the Far East, including Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. • Korean War Support: Although commissioned after the Korean War, Sirius supported American forces stationed in South Korea during the tense post-armistice years. • Crew Life: Life aboard Sirius was often described as demanding but rewarding, with crew members taking pride in their essential, though sometimes unsung, supply missions. • Decommissioning: USS Sirius was decommissioned on 1 August 1965 after nearly a decade of service and was stricken from the Navy List on 1 September 1965. • Final Fate: After decommissioning, the ship was returned to the Maritime Administration and eventually scrapped in 1971. • Legacy: While not as famous as combat vessels, USS Sirius (AF-60) and her crew exemplified the vital logistical support that keeps naval operations running, earning respect within the Navy for their reliability and dedication.