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History of USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8)

USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8) was a Mount McKinley-class amphibious force command ship commissioned by the United States Navy in October 1944. Designed as a floating command post, she served as the flagship for amphibious operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II, including the landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Following the war, Mount Olympus participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. The ship continued to serve in various capacities until she was decommissioned in 1969.

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ABOUT USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8)

  • Command Ship Role: USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8) was an amphibious force flagship, designed as an advanced communications and command ship to coordinate large-scale amphibious assaults during World War II.
  • Named After a Myth: The ship was named after Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, known in mythology as the home of the gods.
  • Built Quickly for War: She was laid down on 3 March 1943 as SS Eclipse (a C2-S-AJ1 type), then converted and commissioned as Mount Olympus on 10 October 1944 at Norfolk Navy Yard.
  • Flagship at Iwo Jima: Mount Olympus served as the flagship for Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner during the pivotal invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945.
  • Present at Major Pacific Battles: The ship was also present at the invasions of Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, and Okinawa, playing a critical role in coordinating naval and ground forces.
  • Witness to Surrender: After Japan’s surrender, Mount Olympus entered Tokyo Bay, where she helped coordinate occupation forces and witnessed the formal surrender ceremonies in September 1945.
  • Cold War Service: After WWII, Mount Olympus continued service as a command ship, including participation in Operation Crossroads (atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll) in 1946.
  • Arctic Expeditions: In 1948, she served as flagship for Operation Bluejay, the construction of a strategic air base at Thule, Greenland, demonstrating her adaptability to extreme conditions.
  • Korean War Era: Though not in direct combat, she operated as a flagship and command ship during the Korean War era, supporting amphibious forces in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
  • Decommissioning and Legacy: Mount Olympus was decommissioned on 27 February 1956, but her innovative design influenced the development of future command and control ships in the U.S. Navy.

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