USS Chemung AO-30
The USS Chemung was launched Sept. 9, 1939 as a Cimarron-class fleet replenishment oiler serving in the United States Navy. It was the second ship named for the Chemung River in New York State. From July 13, 1941 until the entry of the United States into World War II, Chemung operated between east coast ports and the oil ports of Texas and Louisiana transporting fuel oil. From December 20, 1941 to January 3, 1942 she issued fuel at NS Argentia, Newfoundland. Reloading at Norfolk, Virginia, she steamed to Hvalfjörður, Iceland carrying fuel February 19 - March 25) then operated between Norfolk and ports in the Gulf of Mexico from April 1 to May 16. Following another tour as fuel station ship at Hvalfjörður (May 30 - June 26), Chemung departed from New York City August 20 with a convoy bound for the United Kingdom. Two days later Ingraham collided with her at night. The destroyer sank almost immediately when the depth charges on her stern exploded. Chemung, although heavily damaged by the explosion and resulting fires, reached Boston, Massachusetts August 26 for repairs.
Steaming October 1, 1942 to Beaumont, Texas, to load fuel, Chemung accompanied the North African assault force to sea, remained off the coast during the landings, then returned to Norfolk November 30 to resume coast-wise fuel runs. From February 15, 1943 to June 11, 1945 Chemung alternated five convoy voyages to United Kingdom ports and five to North Africa with coast-wise and Caribbean cargo duty and station duty at Bermuda and in the Azores.
An assignment to occupation duty in the Far East found Chemung circumnavigating the globe as she cleared Norfolk July 18, 1945, passed through the Panama Canal for service at Okinawa September 17 to October 13, and returned by way of the Cape of Good Hope to Norfolk December 6. She operated with the US Atlantic Fleet, serving the US 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean (November 12, 1948 - April 1, 1949), until March 17,1950, when she sailed for San Diego, where she was decommissioned and placed in reserve July 3, 1950.
Recommissioned December 1, 1950, Chemung steamed to the Far East January 28, 1951 for a brief tour refueling forces engaged in the Korean War. During her second tour of duty (July 7, 1951 - April 20, 1952), she supported United Nations troops in Korea, served on the Formosa Patrol, then transported oil from Ras Tanura, Arabia, to Guam. She again sailed from San Pedro June 24, 1952 to support the US 7th Fleet off Korea until returning to Mare Island for overhaul on February 24.
In nine succeeding tours of duty in the Western Pacific from her home port at San Pedro California between 1953 and 1960, Chemung supported many of the 7th Fleet's most notable contributions to the keeping of peace in the Far East. During her 1954—1955 tour she provided fuel for the ships carrying out the evacuation of the Tachen Islands. During each of the tours she has served as station tanker at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, fueling the ships of the Taiwan Patrol.
Chemung served through the 1960s, including service in support of the Vietnam War, until she was decommissioned on September 18, 1970. She was transferred to the Maritime Administration and ultimately scrapped.
Chemung received two battle stars for World War II service, and four for service in the Korean War. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Chemung_%28AO-30%29)
Steaming October 1, 1942 to Beaumont, Texas, to load fuel, Chemung accompanied the North African assault force to sea, remained off the coast during the landings, then returned to Norfolk November 30 to resume coast-wise fuel runs. From February 15, 1943 to June 11, 1945 Chemung alternated five convoy voyages to United Kingdom ports and five to North Africa with coast-wise and Caribbean cargo duty and station duty at Bermuda and in the Azores.
An assignment to occupation duty in the Far East found Chemung circumnavigating the globe as she cleared Norfolk July 18, 1945, passed through the Panama Canal for service at Okinawa September 17 to October 13, and returned by way of the Cape of Good Hope to Norfolk December 6. She operated with the US Atlantic Fleet, serving the US 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean (November 12, 1948 - April 1, 1949), until March 17,1950, when she sailed for San Diego, where she was decommissioned and placed in reserve July 3, 1950.
Recommissioned December 1, 1950, Chemung steamed to the Far East January 28, 1951 for a brief tour refueling forces engaged in the Korean War. During her second tour of duty (July 7, 1951 - April 20, 1952), she supported United Nations troops in Korea, served on the Formosa Patrol, then transported oil from Ras Tanura, Arabia, to Guam. She again sailed from San Pedro June 24, 1952 to support the US 7th Fleet off Korea until returning to Mare Island for overhaul on February 24.
In nine succeeding tours of duty in the Western Pacific from her home port at San Pedro California between 1953 and 1960, Chemung supported many of the 7th Fleet's most notable contributions to the keeping of peace in the Far East. During her 1954—1955 tour she provided fuel for the ships carrying out the evacuation of the Tachen Islands. During each of the tours she has served as station tanker at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, fueling the ships of the Taiwan Patrol.
Chemung served through the 1960s, including service in support of the Vietnam War, until she was decommissioned on September 18, 1970. She was transferred to the Maritime Administration and ultimately scrapped.
Chemung received two battle stars for World War II service, and four for service in the Korean War. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Chemung_%28AO-30%29)
It was recently, spring of 2015, that I received an item that came from the USS Chemung. A shirt from the ships basket ball team. The gentleman that wore the shirt recently passed and his son sent the shirt to us. His name was Sherman D. Horton, Jr. He served on the USS Chemung during the Korean War. According to his son, Andrew Horton, his father loved the "Dandy 30", as the ship was referred to. His father, Sherman Duesenbury Horton, Jr. was born in Kansas City and lived and died in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. He was appointed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 1990 and retired in 2000 after a life long law practice.
The shirt was given to the Chemung County Historical Society where it can be added to their collection of USS Chemung memorabilia, since they have the means to properly store the shirt under optimum conditions. Until this time, I never gave the USS Chemung and all it's history much thought, but through the thoughtfulness of this family, I decided to devote a page to the "Dandy 30".
The shirt was given to the Chemung County Historical Society where it can be added to their collection of USS Chemung memorabilia, since they have the means to properly store the shirt under optimum conditions. Until this time, I never gave the USS Chemung and all it's history much thought, but through the thoughtfulness of this family, I decided to devote a page to the "Dandy 30".