USS Kochab

USS Kochab (AKS-6)
History
United States
Name	Kochab
Namesake	The star Kochab
Ordered	as EC2-S-C1 hull
Laid down	date unknown
Launched	8 March 1944
Commissioned	5 May 1944
Decommissioned	17 April 1946
Stricken	22 October 1947
Fate	Sold for scrapping, 14 January 1965
General characteristics
Displacement	4,023 t.(lt) 14,350 t.(fl)
Length	441 ft 7 in (134.59 m)
Beam	56 ft 11 in (17.35 m)
Draught	27 ft 7 in (8.41 m)
Propulsion	reciprocating steam engine, single shaft, 2,500 hp (1,900 kW)
Speed	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Endurance	17,000 miles
Complement	195
Armament	1 × 5 in (130 mm) dual-purpose gun mount 1 × single 3 in (76 mm) dual-purpose gun mount 8 × single 20 mm gun mounts

USS Kochab (AKS-6) was an Acubens-class general stores issue ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for delivering and disbursing goods and equipment to locations in the war zone. The vessel was constructed by Delta Shipbuilding Co. of New Orleans, Louisiana, and launched on 8 March 1944 under a Maritime Commission contract. After being acquired the U.S. Navy, the vessel was converted into a general stores ship and entered service on 4 November 1944. Kochab supported American operations in the Pacific Theater, sailing between US bases on Pacific islands. Following the war's end, Kochab sailed to the US with returning personnel and operated along the United States West Coast before being decommissioned on 17 April 1946. The vessel was then placed in reserve. Kochab was sold for scrap in 1965.

Construction and commissioning

Kochab was launched on 8 March 1944, by Delta Shipbuilding Co. of New Orleans, Louisiana, under a Maritime Commission contract, sponsored by Mrs. Thomas S. Crane. The ship was acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 2 May and transferred to Mobile, Alabama. Kochab was decommissioned on 5 May, converted to a general stores supply ship by Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co. and recommissioned 4 November 1944.

Service history

Kochab cleared Mobile Bay 17 November for shakedown in Chesapeake Bay before departing Norfolk, Virginia, 16 December for duty in the Pacific Ocean. Steaming via the Marshall Islands, she operated out of Ulithi and from 20 February to 28 April made replenishment runs to Manus, Admiralties. Steaming to the Marianas 18 to 15 May, she loaded cargo at Guam and Saipan before proceeding 29 May for the Ryukyus. She reached Kerama Retto 8 June and, despite enemy air attacks, conducted supply operations until 19 June. Proceeding then to Okinawa for further replenishment duty, she operated between the Ryukyus and the Marianas for almost five months.

After Japan surrendered, Kochab departed Okinawa 7 November for the United States as a unit of the Operation Magic Carpet fleet. Steaming via Pearl Harbor, she arrived San Francisco, California, 3 December with 208 homebound passengers embarked. She operated out of San Francisco until 9 February 1946, then sailed for Pearl Harbor, arriving 18 February.

Kochab decommissioned 17 April and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet. Transferred under tow to the 12th Naval District 28 September 1947, she was turned over to the Maritime Commission 22 October and berthed with the Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, California. She was sold for scrapping 14 January 1965, to Nicolas Joffe Corp., Beverly Hills, California.

Military awards and honors

Kochab received one battle star for World War II service. Her crew was eligible for the following medals:

• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
• World War II Victory Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

References

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

External links

• NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive – AKS-6 Kochab