Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Tags
Related Content
Topic
Document Type
  • Themed Collection
Wars & Conflicts
File Formats
  • Image (gif, jpg, tiff)
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC

USS Kaskaskia (AO-27)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Kaskaskia (AO-27)

USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) was launched 29 September 1939 by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newport News, Va.; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy; acquired by the Navy from Esso Oil Co., 22 October 1940; and commissioned 29 October 1940, Comdr. U.S. Gregory in command.

USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) cleared Boston 19 November 1940 for Pearl Harbor, arriving 3 January 1941. She transported oil between West Coast ports and Pearl Harbor, making six cruises before 7 August, when she made an oil run to Johnston Island. USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) returned to Mare Island 10 September for overhaul and repairs. In San Francisco when the Japanese made their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) immediately began preparations to join the Service Force in the Pacific.

Sailing from San Diego 6 January 1942, USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) commenced fueling operations en route before arriving Pago Pago 20 January. For the next 6 months she operated out of Noumea refueling the ships engaged in the violent struggle to stem the Japanese advance. USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) returned San Pedro 28 July for repairs before resuming her duties at Pearl Harbor 21 September. She transported oil between California and Hawaii until she sailed 25 November to support the Gilbert Islands campaign.

The oiler continued fueling operations in the Marshall Islands area until she cleared Majuro 6 June to fuel destroyers and destroyer escorts in the invasion of Saipan. Throughout June and July USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) remained on hand, assisting the fleet to take Saipan, Guam, and Tiwan- important supply areas in the future campaign for the Philippines. She sailed for the second Korean tour January 1952, arriving Sasebo on the 22d to refuel the ships engaged in the Korean conflict. In addition to services in Korea, she also supplied units in Japan, Okinawa and Formosa before returning Long Beach 31 July.

USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) was transferred to MSTS 8 January 1957, and operated in that capacity with a Navy crew until 21 October 1967 when she decommissioned and was turned over to the Maritime Administration 10 December. USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) was struck from the Navy List 2 January 1959. She cleared Mayport 5 February 1963, for a six month Mediterranean cruise to refuel ships of the 6th Fleet, then resumed refueling exercises off Florida for the rest of the year.

USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) returned to Mayport, Fla., 7 June. She operated primarily along the Atlantic Coast and in the Caribbean into 1967. Highlights of this period were service to ships patrolling off the coast of riot-torn Santo Domingo in the summer of 1965 and participation in the recovery team for an unmanned Apollo space flight in February of 1966.

For a complete history of USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) please see its DANFS page.