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History of USS Chemung (AO-30)

USS Chemung (AO-30) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1941. Throughout World War II, Chemung played a vital role in fueling Allied warships during major Pacific campaigns, including operations in the Gilbert, Marshall, and Mariana Islands. After the war, she continued to support naval operations during the Korean War and later in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. Chemung was decommissioned in 1970, after nearly three decades of distinguished service providing logistical support to the fleet.

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ABOUT USS Chemung (AO-30)

  • Fleet Oiler Commission: USS Chemung (AO-30) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler, commissioned by the US Navy on 3 June 1941, just months before the United States entered World War II.
  • Namesake: The ship was named after the Chemung River in New York, continuing the Navy tradition of naming oilers after American rivers.
  • World War II Service: Chemung served extensively in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II, supplying vital fuel to warships and supporting major operations.
  • Surviving a Torpedo Attack: In November 1942, while operating off North Africa in support of Operation Torch, Chemung survived an attack from a German submarine, evading torpedoes and continuing her mission.
  • Operation Overlord Support: Chemung played a supporting role in the D-Day landings by refueling ships involved in the Normandy invasion in June 1944.
  • Postwar Activity: After World War II, Chemung remained active, serving in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean, and participated in the Berlin Airlift support operations.
  • Korean War Service: Chemung was recommissioned for the Korean War, supplying fuel to the US Navy’s 7th Fleet and United Nations forces during combat operations.
  • Collision Incident: On 30 November 1949, Chemung collided with the destroyer USS Charles P. Cecil (DD-835) off the coast of New Jersey. Both ships sustained damage, but there were no fatalities.
  • Decommissioning and Fate: Chemung was decommissioned on 30 September 1970, after nearly 30 years of service, and was later sold for scrap in 1976.
  • Battle Stars and Honors: During her service, Chemung earned eight battle stars for World War II and two for the Korean War, reflecting her vital logistical contributions to major conflicts.

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