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USS Hesperia (AKS-13)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Hesperia (AKS-13)

USS Hesperia (AKS-13), originally Sam Dale, was launched under Maritime Commission contract by Delta Shipbuilding Co., New Orleans, La., 18 November 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Marie Owen; converted to Navy use by Norfolk Naval Shipyard and commissioned 1 April 1945, Lt. Comdr. William G. Dutton in command.

Following a period of training and shakedown, USS Hesperia (AKS-13) loaded her cargo of general stores for the fleet and sailed 16, May 1945. Transiting the Panama Canal, she arrived Pearl Harbor 13 June 1945. The stores ship then proceeded to the western Pacific for the important job of supplying operating units with some of the thousands of items-from clothing to spare parts-necessary to a modern fighting ship. She arrived Ulithi 6 July and after issuing stores to the ships present sailed with a convoy for Okinawa, site of the Pacific's largest amphibious assault just 3 months earlier. USS Hesperia (AKS-13) anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, 21 July and began issuing supplies of all kinds to the fleet and shore installations. She continued to function as a mobile supply base, interrupted only by occasional enemy air attacks, until after hostilities ended in mid-August. 

USS Hesperia (AKS-13) encountered the great typhoon which had devastated Okinawa during her voyage to Korea, but after altering course temporarily continued to Jinsen, arriving 17 October. During the next month she serviced nearly 100 ships and small craft engaged in the Korean and Chinese occupations, operating from Jinsen, and later Taku, China. After this vital support duty, allowing the ships to remain on station for longer periods of time, she returned to Guam for a fresh issue 29 November 1945. Loading completed, she sailed 20 December to Tokosuka, Japan, and after her arrival 6 days later issued stores to over 500 ships and small craft and the shore activities connected with the occupation of Japan.

Her job in Japan temporarily completed, USS Hesperia (AKS-13) got underway 2 March 1946 for the United States, and arrived San Francisco 30 March. During the next months she made two more voyages to supply the fleet, one to Pearl Harbor, the other to Pearl Harbor and Kwajalein. Returning to San Francisco 23 December 1946, she decommissioned 27 February 1947, was delivered to the Maritime Commission, and joined the National Defense Reserve Fleet. She is berthed at present at Suisun Bay, California.

For a complete history of USS Hesperia (AKS-13) please see its DANFS page.