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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Lost to enemy action, 9 September 1943

USS Nauset (AT-89)

International Radio Call Sign:
Nan - Baker - Love - Able
 NBLA
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive, 9 September 1943)
Bottom Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal
Individual Awards

Purple Heart (18-KIA, 41-WIA)
Navajo Class Fleet Tug:
  • Laid down, 10 August 1942 at Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, PA.
  • Launched, 9 September 1942
  • Commissioned, USS Nauset (AT-89), 2 March 1943, LTjg. Henry K. Wombacher, USNR, in command
  • During World War II USS Nauset was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

    Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Sicilian occupation, 9 to 15 July 1943 Salerno landings, 9 to 21 September 1943

  • Lost to enemy air attack and mine explosion, 9 September 1943 in the Gulf of Salerno
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • USS Nauset earned two battle stars for service in World War II
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,235 t.(lt) 1,674 t.(fl)
    Length 205'
    Beam 38' 6"
    Draft 15' 4"
    Speed 16k.5kts.
    Complement
    8 Officers
    68 Enlisted
    Armament
    one single 3"/50 gun mount
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    two single 20mm AA guns
    two depth charge tracks
    Propulsion
    Diesel-electric, - four General Motors 12-278A Diesel main engines driving four General Electric generators and three General Motors 3-268A auxiliary services engines
    single screw, 3,600shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Nauset 693k Stern view of USS Nauset (AT-89) on the builders ways at Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, PA., 7 September 1942.
    A US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Alan Owens
    Nauset 259k Launching and christening of USS Nauset (AT-89) at Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, PA., 9 September 1942.
    A US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Alan Owens
    Nauset 352k USS Nauset (AT-89) underway during builders trials off Philadelphia, 26 March 1943. Alan Owens
    Nauset 83k USS Nauset (AT-89) underway, date and location unknown. Joseph Pfeiffer Jr. for his father Joseph Pfeiffer Sr. USS Nauset
    USS Nauset (AT-89)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01LTjg. Wombacher, Henry Karl, USNR2 March 1943 - 5 April 1943
    02LT. Hardy, Saville Charles, USNR5 April 1943 - 1 July 1943
    03 LT. Orleck, Joseph, USN (KIA)1 July 1943 - 9 September 1943
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 21 February 2025