About this Unit
USS Wrangell (AE-12) was a Mount Hood-class ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. During World War II, she played a vital role in supplying ammunition to combat ships in the Pacific Theater, supporting operations such as the Okinawa campaign. After the war, Wrangell was decommissioned but later recommissioned for service during the Korean War and again during the Vietnam War, continuing her logistical support missions. The ship was finally decommissioned in 1970, having earned multiple battle stars for her service in three major conflicts.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Origin: USS Wrangell (AE-12) was named after Wrangell Island in Alaska, itself named for Russian explorer Ferdinand von Wrangel.
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World War II Service: Commissioned in October 1944, Wrangell supported Pacific operations, supplying ammunition to ships during campaigns such as Okinawa and the Philippines.
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Kamikaze Danger: While off Okinawa in 1945, Wrangell operated under constant threat from Japanese kamikaze attacks but managed to fulfill her vital rearming mission without direct hit.
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Postwar Far East Operations: After WWII, Wrangell supported occupation forces in Japan and China, aiding in the demilitarization efforts.
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Korean War Role: Reactivated for the Korean War, Wrangell supplied munitions to U.S. Navy ships operating off the Korean Peninsula, ensuring sustained combat operations.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, Wrangell played a critical part in the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis, keeping U.S. warships armed and ready.
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Vietnam War Deployments: Throughout the 1960s, she made multiple deployments to the Western Pacific, supporting naval operations off Vietnam by transferring tons of ammunition at sea.
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First Female Officer: In the late 1960s, Wrangell became one of the first ammunition ships to have a female officer assigned as part of a Navy integration pilot program.
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Ammunition Transfer Innovation: Wrangell was an early adopter of underway replenishment (UNREP), perfecting the complex art of transferring volatile munitions to other ships while both were moving at sea.
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Decommissioning and Fate: After decades of service in three major conflicts, Wrangell was decommissioned in 1970 and eventually sold for scrap, closing a long chapter of logistical excellence.
