USS Waccamaw (AO-109)

• Commissioning and Class: USS Waccamaw (AO-109) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler, commissioned on 6 December 1946. She was named after the Waccamaw River in North and South Carolina. • Role and Mission: Designed to refuel warships at sea, Waccamaw played a vital support role in enabling the U.S. Navy’s global operations during the Cold War era. • Korean War Service: USS Waccamaw provided crucial underway replenishment to United Nations naval forces during the Korean War, helping sustain fleet readiness in combat zones. • Vietnam War Operations: The ship also served extensively during the Vietnam War, supplying fuel and provisions to U.S. and allied ships operating off the coast of Vietnam. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, Waccamaw was part of the U.S. naval quarantine force, supporting ships enforcing the blockade of Cuba. • Atlantic and Mediterranean Deployments: She frequently operated with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, supporting NATO exercises and U.S. naval presence missions. • Collision Incident: In 1975, USS Waccamaw collided with the destroyer USS Leary (DD-879) during refueling operations at sea, highlighting the inherent dangers of underway replenishment. • Conversion to Military Sealift Command: In 1975, she was transferred to the Military Sealift Command and redesignated as USNS Waccamaw (T-AO-109), serving as a civilian-manned oiler. • Decommissioning and Fate: Waccamaw was finally retired from service in 1989 and was subsequently scrapped, ending over four decades of distinguished service. • Honors and Legacy: Throughout her career, USS Waccamaw earned several campaign and service medals, reflecting her extensive operational history and importance to U.S. naval logistics.