USS Chukawan

Chukawan (AO-100) was launched 28 August 1945 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrows Point, Maryland; sponsored by Miss M. McCrea; commissioned 22 January 1946 and reported to the Atlantic Fleet.

From the time of her commissioning through 1963, Chukawan helped give the U.S. Fleet its unique mobility. From her home port at Norfolk, Virginia, she repeatedly sailed to fuel ships operating in exercises along the coast, to transport oil products overseas and to carry oil from producing regions. Among her most important duties were her cruises with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. These deployments occurred in 1947, 1950, 1951–52, 1954, 1955–56, 1957, 1958, and 1960, and were occasions for visits to a variety of Mediterranean ports, as well as participation in various operations.

Chukawan refueling USS Midway and USS John R. Pierce in 1950.

Two of these were of special international significance. The first came in November 1956, upon the outbreak of the Suez Crisis, when she sailed from Norfolk on short notice with a carrier task force assigned to stand by in the eastern Atlantic should American strength in the Mediterranean need enhancement. Her second dramatic incident occurred through her service to 6th Fleet ships during the 1958 Lebanon crisis, when such support as hers made possible the landing of U.S. Marines on the shortest possible notice.

Chukawan was decommissioned, 13 June 1972, at Pier 2, Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia, and she was subsequently struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1972. She was sold for scrapping by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, 1 March 19.

Rockabilly musician Gene Vincent served on the ship before his career in music

Chukawan's crew members were authorized the following medals:

• Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3)
• American Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• National Defense Service Medal (2)
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Lebanon)

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to USS Chukawan (AO-100) (ship, 1945).

• Photo gallery of Chukawan at NavSource Naval History
• http://www.aukevisser.nl/t2tanker/id71.htm
• Wildenberg, Thomas (1996). Gray Steel and Black Oil: Fast Tankers and Replenishment at Sea in the U.S. Navy, 1912-1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. Retrieved 2009-04-28.