(AT-90: dp. 1,589; l. 205-; b. 38-6-; dr. 15-4-; s. 16 k.; cpl. 85; a. 1 3-, 2 40mm.; cl. Apache)
A group of Indians of the Pawaka Tribe, so called because of their custom of tattooing themselves.
Pinto (AT-90) was laid down by the Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, Penn. 10 August 1942; launched 5 January 1943; sponsored by Miss Lorna Cook; and commissioned 1 April 1943; Lt. Ralph Brown in command.
Following shakedown, Pinto served in Service Squadron 1, Service Force, Atlantic Fleet operating on the east coast of the United States and at Argentia, Newfoundland until 15 December 1943 when she arrived Long Island Sound to conduct salvage and towing operations for the U.S. Army and Navy Proving Grounds, Davisville, R.I.
On 26 March 1944, Pinto was underway for the European theater of operations, arriving Falmouth, England 19 April. She was redesignated ATF-90 on 15 May. She arrived off the Normandy invasion coast 6 June, where she and two other tugs comprised Combat Salvage Unit 122.3.1 which assisted and made emergency repairs to invasion landing craft while under enemy fire. On "D" day plus one, Susan B. Anthony (AP-72) struck a mine, and was left burning and in a sinking condition. Pinto aided in removing 2200 Army troops plus the Navy crew, for which she received the Navy Unit Commendation. Pinto remained on station as combat salvage vessel off "Omaha" beach until 3 July when she returned to England.
She arrived at Oran, Algeria, 21 July, and joined the assault Force for operation "Dragoon." On 15 August she arrived off the coast of southern France with TU 85.14.7 and conducted salvage operations under enemy fire until 28 August when she returned to Oran and then the United States.
On 10 November Pinto, with a floating drydock section in tow, got underway for Panama, whence she proceeded across the Pacific to Bora Bora, Society Islands to join the 7th Fleet. Until June 1945 Pinto engaged in towing and salvage operations off New Guinea, the Admiralties, the Philippines and Morotai. On 4 June, Pinto departed Morotai as part of TG 76.20 for the amphibious assault on Brunei Bay, British North Borneo. She remained as salvage tug on station in Victoria Harbor until 2 July when she returned to the Philippine Islands for towing assignments.
During autumn Pinto conducted salvage and towing operations between Morotai, Balikpapan, Tarakan and Leyte Gulf. Then in December she got underway for the United States and inactivation. On 11 July 1946 Pinto was decommissioned and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, berthed at Orange, Tex. She was transferred to Peru 31 December 1966 and renamed Rios.
Pinto received three battle stars for World War II service.
