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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Macaw (ASR-11)

International Radio Call Sign:
Nan - Unit - Jig - Victor
 NUJV
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal
Chanticleer Class Submarine Rescue Ship
  • Laid down, 15 October 1941, at Moore Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Co., Oakland, CA
  • Launched, 12 July 1942
  • Commissioned USS Macaw (ASR-11), 12 July 1942 , LCDR. Paul W. Burton in command
  • During WWII USS Macaw was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
    Campaign and Dates
    Marshall Islands operation, 20 November to 8 December 1943

  • Final Disposition, ran aground, 16 January 1944, in Midway Channel, beached and sunk 12 February 1944
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 15 March 1944
  • USS Macaw (ASR-11) earned one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,780 t.(lt) 2,141 t.(fl)
    Length 251' 4"
    Beam 42'
    Draft 14' 10" (lim)
    Speed 14.5 kts.
    Complement
    Officer 6
    Enlisted 96
    Largest Boom Capacity 20 t.
    Armament
    two single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mounts
    eight single 20mm gun mounts
    four depth charge tracks
    Fuel Capacity Diesel-1,785 Bbls
    Propulsion
    four Alco-Diesel-electric engines (520)
    Ship's Service Generators
     two Diesel-drive 200Kw 120V D.C.
     one Diesel-drive 60Kw 120V D.C.
    single propeller, 3,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed By
    /Source
    Flier 1.41k USS Flier (SS-250) and USS Macaw (ASR-11) aground at Midway, 17 January 1944. The view is from ENE. The outflow from the channel into the lagoon is visible as a whitish band beyond the Macaw. Note that the vessels are pointing in opposite directions—the Macaw north, in toward the lagoon, the Flier south and out to sea. Photo & text courtesy of ussmacaw.net via Robert Hurst
    Flier 135k USS Macaw (ASR-11), in foreground, and USS Flier (SS-250) aground at Midway, 16 January 1944. Vessel in background at right is unidentified. Photo & text courtesy of ussmacaw.ney via Robert Hurst
    Macaw 18k LCDR Paul W. Burton the ill-fated Commanding Officer of Macaw (ASR-11). Photo was taken aboard Macaw by Al Muti one month before the ship and LCDR Burton were lost Ken Sorrick whose father-in-law Al Muti took this photo
    USS Macaw (ASR-11)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Burton, Paul, W., USN (USNA 1933)12 July 1942 - 13 February 1944 Drowned in sinking of Macaw
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Macaw
    National Marine Sanctuaries - Maritime Heritage - USS Macaw Wreck Site Survey 2003
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 21 February 2025