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History of USS Nitro (AE-23)

USS Nitro (AE-23) was an ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy on May 1, 1959. As the lead ship of her class, Nitro played a crucial role in replenishing fleet units with munitions and explosives at sea, supporting naval operations during the Cold War, Vietnam War, and Middle East crises. Homeported on the East Coast, she participated in numerous Mediterranean deployments with the U.S. Sixth Fleet and provided logistical support during various combat and training exercises. USS Nitro was decommissioned in 1995 after nearly four decades of dedicated service and was later scrapped.

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ABOUT USS Nitro (AE-23)

  • Namesake and Class: USS Nitro (AE-23) was the lead ship of the Nitro-class ammunition ships, named after the highly explosive compound "nitro," reflecting her purpose as a provider of munitions.
  • Launch and Commissioning: The ship was launched on November 25, 1957, at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in Sparrows Point, Maryland, and commissioned into the U.S. Navy on May 1, 1959.
  • Nuclear Age Service: The Nitro was built during the height of the Cold War to support the U.S. fleet with rapid replenishment of conventional and nuclear munitions at sea.
  • Vietnam War Support: During the Vietnam War, USS Nitro played a pivotal role in supplying ammunition to combat ships participating in shore bombardment operations and airstrikes.
  • Operation Desert Storm: USS Nitro was deployed during Operation Desert Storm (1991), providing critical ammunition resupply to U.S. and allied naval forces in the Persian Gulf.
  • Collision Incident: In 1965, USS Nitro collided with the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CV-38) during an underway replenishment. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but both ships sustained damage.
  • Home Ports: Over her career, Nitro was homeported at several locations, including Davisville, Rhode Island, and later in Earle, New Jersey.
  • Medal and Commendations: Nitro and her crew earned multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.
  • Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned on April 28, 1995, after 36 years of service and was later scrapped in 2008.
  • Legacy and Crew Association: Former crew members maintain the USS Nitro Association, preserving the ship’s history and fostering camaraderie through reunions and historical projects.

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