Impeccable (AM-320)
1943-1972
A general word classification.
(AM-320: displacement 890; length 221'2"; beam 32'0"; draft 10'0"; speed 18.0 knots; complement 105; armament 1 3-inch, 2 40 millimeter, 2 20 millimeter, 2 depth charge tracks, 5 depth charge projectors; class Auk)
Originally projected as Brutus (BAM-7) for the Royal Navy under Lend Lease, Impeccable (AM-320) was laid down on 1 February 1943 at Alameda, Calif., by the General Engineering & Dry Dock Co.; launched on 21 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Agnes W. Hanson; and commissioned on 24 April 1944, Lt. Cmdr. Bryan H. Smith, Jr., D-V(G), USNR, in command.
The new minesweeper conducted shakedown training off the California coast before sailing on 3 July 1944 on Pacific escort duty. Until November she steamed between Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, and the advance base at Eniwetok, in the Marshall Islands, and during the last two months of 1944 operated on this vital duty in the Palaus. After patrol and escort duty out of Ulithi, in the Carolines, in early 1945, Impeccable departed on 19 March 1945 to take part in the amphibious assault on Okinawa.
Arriving off that island on 24 March 1945 in advance of the landing group, the minesweeper began her critical job of sweeping the approach and transport areas. She underwent air attack on 28 March and with the main assault on 1 April moved to screening duties. As the Japanese hurled ware after wave of suicide planes at the invasion fleet in a desperate attempt to stop the capture of Okinawa, Impeccable's crew frequently manned their guns for long periods. She underwent air attack at Kerama Retto on 6 April, and in the long days that followed patrolled both off the Hagushi beaches and on picket station. On 20 May she went alongside to give assistance to the high-speed transport Chase (APD-54), that had been damaged by a kamikaze. She also performed rescue duties when other screening and escort ships were damaged by enemy air action. Despite the heavy raids, Okinawa was won, and Impeccable sailed on 1 July for Guam.
The veteran minesweeper returned to Okinawa with a resupply convoy from Guam and sailed again on 16 August 1945, the day after the Japanese agreement to surrender. Despite the end of hostilities, however, much necessary and dangerous work remained for units of the fleet. Impeccable returned to Okinawa on 21 August; then in September and November swept the approaches to Wakayama, Japan, in support of occupation operations. Impeccable departed Sasebo 20 November, sailing via Pearl Harbor to San Francisco, Calif., where she arrived on 15 December 1945. She remained there until decommissioned at Terminal Island on 27 March 1947.
Impeccable -was recommissioned on 12 March 1952 to strengthen U.S. fleet units in Korea, and after shakedown sailed on 3 September for Sasebo. She moved immediately to the Wonsan area to strengthen the naval siege and keep the harbor clear of mines. The ship also took part in the amphibious feint at Kojo 12 to 14 October, exchanging fire with shore batteries in the area. During the months that followed Impeccable remained on the eastern coast, aiding the naval blockade and helping to maintain positions on the offshore islands. She drove a sampan ashore off Hungnam on 17 November 1952, and dueled with Wonsan batteries on 20 February 1953 while covering a minesweeping operation.
Her tour in the stalemated Korean conflict ended, Impeccable reached Pearl Harbor on 31 March 1953 and her homeport, Long Beach, on 10 April. For the rest of the year the ship operated on training and readiness exercises off Mexico and the Canal Zone. Impeccable remained on minesweeping and fleet maneuvers through the first half of 1955. Impeccable was reclassified as a fleet minesweeper (steel hull) MSF-320, on 7 February 1955.
Impeccable arrived at Astoria, Oregon, on 16 August 1955. She was decommissioned on 14 October 1955, then entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Bremerton, Washington.
Stricken from the Naval Register on 1 July 1972, she was sold for scrap on 1 April 1974.
Impeccable received three battle stars for her World War II service and two for Korean service.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
8 April 2024
