About this Unit
The USS Vigil (AGR-12) was a Guardian-class radar picket ship commissioned by the United States Navy during the Cold War. Originally built as the Liberty ship SS Raymond Van Brogan in 1945, she was later converted and commissioned as USS Vigil in 1956. Her primary mission was to serve as an early warning radar vessel, patrolling the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Continental Air Defense Command's seaward extension of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line. USS Vigil remained active in this role until she was decommissioned in 1965 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
Historical Facts
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USS Vigil (AGR-12) Background: USS Vigil was a Guardian-class radar picket ship, originally built as a Liberty Ship (the SS Raymond Van Brogan) in 1945 and later converted for military use during the Cold War.
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Radar Picket Role: Vigil's main mission was to act as a seaborne radar station, extending the United States’ early warning defense network against potential Soviet bomber attacks.
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Conversion and Commissioning: The ship was converted at Charleston Naval Shipyard and commissioned into the US Navy as USS Vigil (YAGR-12) on December 5, 1956.
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Homeport and Operations: The USS Vigil was based out of Davisville, Rhode Island, and primarily operated in the North Atlantic Ocean to provide continuous radar coverage.
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Communications Hub: Besides its radar duties, Vigil served as a relay point for communications between aircraft, ships, and continental defense command posts.
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Life at Sea: Crew members often spent 30-45 days at sea at a time, facing harsh weather conditions and the monotony of long, isolated patrols.
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Decommissioning: Technological advances in radar and the advent of satellites rendered radar picket ships obsolete; Vigil was decommissioned on July 3, 1965.
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Ship’s Motto: The crew adopted the motto “Ever Vigilant,” reflecting their constant watch for incoming threats during the height of the Cold War.
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Unique Crew Experiences: Sailors aboard the Vigil often reported seeing mysterious radar echoes and even unidentified flying objects (UFOs) during their watch.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, USS Vigil was placed in the reserve fleet and eventually scrapped, but her service contributed to the foundation of modern airborne and space-based surveillance systems.
