USS Vesuvius (AE-15)

• Namesake: USS Vesuvius (AE-15) was named after the famous volcano Mount Vesuvius in Italy, reflecting the ship's explosive cargo mission. • Type and Class: She was a Mount Hood-class ammunition ship, designed for carrying and transferring explosives and ammunition to combat ships at sea. • Commissioning: USS Vesuvius was launched on November 16, 1944, and commissioned on January 16, 1945, in the midst of World War II. • World War II Service: In the final months of WWII, Vesuvius supplied ammunition to Pacific Fleet units, supporting operations at Okinawa and in the Philippines. • Postwar Decommissioning: Following WWII, she was decommissioned in 1946, but reactivated in 1951 to support the Korean War effort. • Korean and Vietnam Wars: USS Vesuvius played key roles in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, supplying ammunition to ships off Korea and later off the coast of Vietnam during major combat operations. • Operation Rolling Thunder: During the Vietnam War, she supported the intense air campaigns like Operation Rolling Thunder by delivering vital ordnance to aircraft carriers and other vessels. • Replenishment at Sea: Vesuvius was equipped for underway replenishment, allowing her to transfer munitions while both ships were moving—an essential and dangerous job. • Decorations: The vessel earned five battle stars for World War II, two for the Korean War, and nine campaign stars for her service in Vietnam. • End of Service: After decades of service, the USS Vesuvius was decommissioned for the final time in August 1973 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1978, concluding a long and distinguished career.