USS Elkhorn (AOG-7)

USS Elkhorn (AOG-7) was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of transporting gasoline to warships in the fleet, and to remote Navy stations.

History
United States
Name: USS Elkhorn
Ordered: as T1-MT-M1 tanker hull
Launched: 15 May 1943
Commissioned: 12 February 1944
Decommissioned: 1 July 1972
Stricken: 15 April 1976
Fate: Sold to Taiwan
History
Taiwan
Name: ROCS Hsing Lung (AOG-517)[1]
Acquired: 1972[1]
Reclassified: AOG-515
General characteristics
Class and type: Patapsco-class gasoline tanker
Length: 310 ft 9 in (94.72 m)
Beam: 48 ft 6 in (14.78 m)
Draft: 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m)
Propulsion: 4 × General Electric diesel-electric engines, twin shafts, 3,300 hp (2,461 kW)
Speed: 15 knots (17 mph; 28 km/h)
Capacity: 2,210 long tons deadweight (DWT)
Complement: 131
Armament:
Service record
Part of: US Pacific Fleet
Operations: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
Awards:
  • 1 battle stars (Korea)
  • 8 battle stars (Vietnam)

Elkhorn had the distinction of serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and returned home proudly with battle and campaign stars to her credit.

Elkhorn was launched 15 May 1943 by Cargill Inc., Savage, Minnesota; sponsored by Mrs. J. A. Flynn; and commissioned 12 February 1944, Lieutenant (junior grade) T. A. Norris, USNR, in command.

World War II service

Elkhorn sailed from New Orleans, Louisiana, 25 February 1944 for the South Pacific Ocean, and arrived at Milne Bay, New Guinea, 29 May for duty as station tanker. She made several voyages to Manus to reload and fueled ships in the invasion of Morotai in September 1944, otherwise serving at Milne Bay until March 1945 when she arrived at Leyte. Elkhorn served throughout the Philippines until 1 December, then returned to the U.S.West Coast for overhaul.

Korean War operations

Elkhorn remained on active service with the US Pacific Fleet through 1962. From her base at Pearl Harbor she alternated tours of duty in the Far East with cruises among the islands of the South and central Pacific. During the Korean war she operated in Japanese waters and off the Korean coast twice, in 1951 and 1953, and in 1956 and 1957 she sailed from the west coast to Icy Cape and Point Barrow as a part of the Arctic resupply missions.

Vietnam War operations

Delivered fuel up and down the coast and in the inland water ways from Da Nang south and to the north. In 1969 relieved USS Genesis also an AOG in Da Nang delivering fuel up and down the coast north to Cửa Việt Base and areas south of Da Nang. Returned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii around November 1969. Returned to Vietnam for the winter and spring offensive in 1970.

Decommissioning

Elkhorn was sold to the Republic of China on 1 May 1972 under the Security Assistance Program. Prior to her transfer to the Republic of China, she was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy on 1 July 1972 and struck from the American Naval Vessel Register on 15 April 1976.

Military awards and honors

Elkhorn earned one battle star for Korean War service:

  • Korean Summer-Fall 1953

She received eight campaign stars for Vietnam War service:

  • Vietnam Defense
  • Vietnam Counteroffensive
  • Vietnam Counteroffensive - Phase II
  • Vietnam Counteroffensive - Phase III
  • Vietnam Counteroffensive - Phase V
  • Vietnam Counteroffensive - Phase VI
  • Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969
  • Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970

Elkhorn’s crew was eligible for the following medals and commendations:

Republic of China Navy service

Elkhorn was sold to the Republic of China on 1 May 1972. In Republic of China Navy service, she was renamed ROCS Hsing Lung with the pennant number AOG-517,[1] later changed to AOG-515. Her final disposition is unknown.

Notes
  1. Moore, John E., ed. Jane's Fighting Ships 1976–1977. New York: Franklin Watts, 1977. p. 446.
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References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.


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