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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS ARD-8

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Delta - Victor - November
 NDVN
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal

USS ARD-8 was transferred to Peru
ARD-2 Class Auxiliary Repair Dock:
  • Laid down, date unknown, at Pacific Bridge Co., Alameda, CA.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Commissioned USS ARD-8, 23 August 1943, LCDR. Christ A. Rancich, in command
  • During World War II USS ARD-8 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater at Pearl Harbor and Midway Island
  • Decommission, 1 October 1946
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 20 December 1979
  • Transferred under terms of the Security Assistance Program to Peru, 1 September 1980
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,200 t.(lt)
    Length 482' 7"
    Beam 71'
    Draft 5'
    Armament 2 single 20mm gun mounts
    Complement 6 Officers, 125 Enlisted
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed By
    ARD-8 60k USS ARD-8 commissioning day ceremonies, at Pacific Bridge Co., Alameda, CA., breaking the traditional champagne bottle. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 68k USS ARD-8 commissioning day ceremonies, at Pacific Bridge Co., Alameda, CA., the Captain reads his orders and places the dock in commission. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 70k USS ARD-8 commissioning day ceremonies, at Pacific Bridge Co., Alameda, CA., the docks seven Chief Petty Officers. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 59k USS ARD-8 commissioning day ceremonies, at Pacific Bridge Co., Alameda, CA., the docks crew at attention. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 45k USS ARD-8 commissioning day ceremonies, at Pacific Bridge Co., Alameda, CA., the docks crew at attention. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 65k USS ARD-8 commissioning day ceremonies, at Pacific Bridge Co., Alameda, CA., saluting the colors. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 41k USS ARD-8 flooded to allow an ASR to enter the dock, date unknown, Pearl Harbor, T.H. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 39k USS ARD-8 pumped dry with a submarine in the dock, date unknown, Pearl Harbor, T.H. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 66k USS ARD-8 overhead view with a submarine in her dock, date unknown, probably at Pearl Harbor, T.H. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 67k USS ARD-8 boat and mascot, date unknown, probably at Pearl Harbor, T.H. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 36k USS ARD-8 flooded to allow a submarine in the dock, date unknown, Midway Island Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 27k USS ARD-8 at anchor, date and location unknown. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 64k USS ARD-8 crew photo, Midway Island.
    (Ray Rucker says they had the best fish in the Pacific, but the shark was a bit of a surprise.)    		 Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 109k USS ARD-8 crew photo, Midway Island. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 24k USS ARD-8 the shark hanging from one of the cranes, Midway Island. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 62k USS ARD-8 crew photo, Midway Island. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 59k USS ARD-8 crew photo, Midway Island. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 53k USS ARD-8 crew photo, Midway Island. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 66k USS ARD-8 anchored at Pearl Harbor, T.H., circa February-March 1946. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 67k USS ARD-8 at Pearl Harbor, T.H. Note the construction barge from Midway still in the basin at Pearl Harbor, T.H., circa February-March 1946.
    ARD-8 112k USS ARD-8 at Pearl Harbor, T.H. Note the construction barge from Midway still in the basin at Pearl Harbor, T.H., circa February-March 1946. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 82k View of USS ARD-8's stern gate. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 69k View from the bow of USS ARD-8 at Pearl Harbor, circa February-March 1946, while preparing to transport the yard net tender, tug Tamaha (YNt-12) in the dock to San Diego, CA. Notice the beams to hold the tug in place. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 84k View from the stern of USS ARD-8 at Pearl Harbor, circa February-March 1946, while preparing to transport the yard net tender, tug Tamaha (YNt-12) and the coastal mine sweeper USS Cockatoo AMc-8) and in the dock to San Diego, CA. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 86k
    ARD-8 97k View looking aft into the basin of USS ARD-8 at sea enroute from Pearl Harbor to San Diego, circa March 1946, while transporting three small ships. The coastal mine sweeper USS Cockatoo AMc-8), forward with the yard net tender, tug Tamaha (YNt-12) astern of the minesweeper and just visible beyond the tug the Coast Guard cutter CG83508. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 64k
    ARD-8 57k USS ARD-8 crew members in the chow line, circa March 1946, while enroute to San Diego from Pearl Harbor. USS Cockatoo AMc-8) is visible in the dock. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 164k Looking forward along the port side of USS ARD-8 toward the ATA with the drydock in tow, while enroute to San Diego from Pearl Harbor, circa March 1946 Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 172k Three of USS ARD-8's Chief Petty Officers, date and location unknown. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 170k Small group of USS ARD-8's enlisted crew, date and location unknown. Photo by Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 89k USS ARD-8 moored to a buoy at San Diego after arriving from Peal Harbor. ARD-8 departed Pearl Harbor at 0600 hours, 1 March 1, 1946 and arrived at San Diego, 1200 hours, 26 March 1946. She was accompanied by two tugs, an ATA and an ATR and carried the yard net tender, tug Tamaha (YNt-12), the coastal mine sweeper USS Cockatoo AMc-8) and Coast Guard cutter CG83508 in her dock.
    Photo©San Diego Sun.    		 Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8
    ARD-8 176k USS ARD-8 moored to a buoy in San Diego Harbor, 26 March 1946 with the yard net tender, tug Tamaha (YNt-12), the coastal mine sweeper USS Cockatoo AMc-8) and Coast Guard cutter CG83508 in her dock.
    Photo©San Diego Sun.    		 Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 38k Newspaper article from "San Diego Sun" announcing the return to San Diego of USS ARD-8 26 March 1946 with two accompanying tugs and the yard net tender, tug Tamaha (YNt-12), the coastal mine sweeper USS Cockatoo AMc-8) and Coast Guard cutter CG83508 in her dock. Clayton E. Hiscock PTR3C USS ARD-8.
    ARD-8 127k Map of USS ARD-8's journey during the war in the Pacific. Susan Bloom for her uncle Raymond Rucker USS ARD-8.
    There is no DANFS History currently available for USS ARD-8 at NavSource
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Rancich, Christ A.23 August 1943 - May 1945
    02LT. Diefenbach, Karl BernardMay 1945 - 1 January 1946
    03LT. Goodhue, James W.1 January 1946 - 1 March 1946
    04LT. Diefenbach, Karl Bernard1 March 1946 - 3 July 1946
    05LT. Thomas, Milfred Wesley3 July 1946 - 1 October 1946
    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 7 February 2014