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USS Brazos (AO-4)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Brazos (AO-4)

USS Brazos (AO-4) was launched 1 May 1919 by Boston Navy Yard; sponsored by Miss Catherine Rush; and commissioned 1 October 1919, Commander R. Werner, USNRF, in command.

As a tanker attached to the Train, Scouting Fleet, USS Brazos (AO-4) carried fuel oil and stores along the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean. In 1922 she served temporarily with the U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters and transferred personnel and remains of the war dead from Marseilles to the United States. In 1924 USS Brazos (AO-4) joined Train, Squadron 1, Fleet Base Force, to carry fuel and supplies to support the fleet. 

On 7 December 1941 USS Brazos (AO-4) was carrying fuel from the west coast to the Aleutian Islands and Alaska. She continued servicing ships in this area until 27 June 1942. After operating briefly in the vicinity of the Hawaiian and Samoan Islands, she returned to the Aleutians where she remained until 27 January 1945.

On 29 March 1945 USS Brazos (AO-4) arrived at Okinawa to furnish logistics support for the invasion fleet, after having made several brief stops in the southwestern Pacific. She remained at Okinawa until the middle of October except for a brief period of availability at Leyte, Philippine Islands. She then departed for Japan and supported the occupation forces until 9 November 1945. On 26 November 1945 USS Brazos (AO-4) returned to San Francisco where she remained until decommissioned 8 February 1946. She was transferred to the Maritime Commission 1 July 1946.

For a complete history of USS Brazos (AO-4) please see its DANFS page.