USS TOMBIGBEE AOG-11

• Namesake: USS Tombigbee (AOG-11) was named after the Tombigbee River in Alabama and Mississippi, aligning with the U.S. Navy tradition of naming gasoline tankers after rivers with Native American names. • Class and Type: She was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker, designed to transport gasoline and aviation fuel to warships and remote naval stations. • Laid Down and Launched: Tombigbee was laid down on 23 October 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, launched on 23 March 1943, and commissioned on 13 October 1943. • World War II Service: During WWII, Tombigbee played a crucial role in supplying fuel to fleet units in the Pacific, supporting operations in the Marshall, Mariana, and Philippine Islands. • Operation Crossroads: In 1946, Tombigbee participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, providing logistical support to the assembled fleet. • Korean War Support: The ship was recommissioned in 1950 for the Korean War, once again serving as a critical fuel supplier to naval forces operating off the Korean Peninsula. • Cuban Missile Crisis: Tombigbee was active during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, supporting the U.S. naval blockade by refueling ships enforcing the quarantine. • Vietnam War Service: She saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, making multiple deployments to deliver fuel to U.S. and allied ships off the coast of Vietnam. • Transfer to Greek Navy: Decommissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1972, Tombigbee was transferred to Greece in 1972 and served as Nafkratousa (A-464) until 2003. • Battle Stars and Honors: USS Tombigbee earned three battle stars for World War II service, two for Korean War service, and eight campaign stars for Vietnam service, reflecting her long and distinguished career.