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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Shasta (AE-6)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Alpha - Zulu - Whiskey NAZW

JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Mainyard (Q)uebec - Section 6A of JANAP 119(F) 1968

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive - February 1945, Iwo Jima) - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (5) - World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia or Europe Clasp) - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Lebanon, Persian Gulf)
Fourth Row - Vietnam Service Medal (2) - Philippines Liberation Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Lassen Class Ammunition Ship:

Laid down, 12 August 1940, as a Maritime Commission type (C2 Cargo) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 125) at Tampa Shipbuilding Corp., Tampa, FL.

Launched, 9 July 1941

Acquired by the US Navy from the Maritime Commission, 16 April 1941

Commissioned USS Shasta (AE-6), 20 January 1942, CAPT. Francis A. Smith, USN in command

During World War II USS Shasta was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

Campaign and Dates	Campaign and Dates
Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
Marianas operation Capture and occupation of Saipan, 14 to 20 July 1944	Okinawa Gunto operation 5tth and 3rd Fleet raids in support of Okinawa operation, 16 March to 11 June 1945 Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 24 March to 30 June 1945
Western Caroline Islands operation Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, 6 September to 14 October 1944	3d Fleet operations against Japan, 10 July to 3 August 1945
Iwo Jima operation Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 15 February to 2 March 1945 1945

Following World War II USS Shasta was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from 2 September to 20 October 1945

Decommissioned, 10 August 1946, at San Diego, CA.

Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group

Recommissioned, 15 July 1953

USS Shasta was assigned to Occupation service in Europe from 18 January to 16 May 1955

During the Vietnam War USS Shasta participated in the following campaigns:

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Vietnam War
Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II 4 to 23 November 1966 2 to 24 December 1966 11 to 22 January 1967 10 and 15 to 28 February 1967 12 to 27 March 1967 5 to 16 April 1967 23 and 24 April 1967	Vietnam Ceasefire 28 January 1973

Decommissioned, date unknown, at NAB Little Creek, VA. in 1969

Struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1969

USS Shasta earned five battle stars for World War II service and two campaign stars and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation for Vietnam War service

Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping to Isaac Valera, Revalorizacionde Materials, SA, Madrid, Spain

Specifications:
Displacement 6.350 t.(lt) 14,225 t.(fl)
Length 459'
Beam 63'
Draft 25' 11"
Speed 15.3 kts. (trial)

Complement

Officers 21

Enlisted 260

Largest Boom Capacity 30 t.

Armament

one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount

four single 3"/50 cal gun mounts

two twin 40mm AA gun mounts

eight twin 20mm AA gun mounts

Cargo Capacity 5,450 DWT

non-refrigerated 415,000 Cu ft.

Fuel Capacity Diesel - 8,430 Bbls

Propulsion

two Nordberg Diesel TSM219 engine

single Falk Main Reduction Gear
Ship's Service Generators
four Diesel-drive 360Kw 120V/240V D.C.
two Diesel-drive 50Kw 450V A.C.

single shaft, 6,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
09050635	53k	Shasta (AE-6) sponsor Mrs. Spressard Holland, wife of the Governor of Florida, christens the ship, 9 July 1941, at Tampa Shipbuilding Corp., Tampa, FL.	Dale Hargrave
19-N-91344	58k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 26 October 1943. U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo # 19-N-91344 and unnumbered., US Navy Bureau of Ships photos now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
unnumbered	91k		Robert Hurst
	117k	Aft plan view of *USS Shasta* (AE-6) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 10 January 1945. The ex-Tamalpais (auto ferry) servicing as YHB-21** during World War II is at left. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 298-45.	Darryl Baker
	100k	Forward plan view of *USS Shasta* (AE-6) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 10 January 1945. YHB-21, the ex auto ferry Tamalpais, four berthing barges and YHB-2, ex auto ferry Port of Stockton, are moored across from Shasta*. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 300-45*.	Darryl Baker
	68k	Stern view of *USS Shasta* (AE-6)** off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 11 January 1945. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 363-45.	Darryl Baker
	64k	Broadside view of *USS Shasta* (AE-6)** at anchor off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 11 January 1945. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 365-45.	Darryl Baker
	67k	Bow on view of *USS Shasta* (AE-6)** at anchor off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 11 January 1945. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 367-45.	Darryl Baker
09050636	126k	National ensign flown aboard *USS Shasta* (AE-6) during the Battle for Iwo Jima in 1945. Shasta** was part of the task force sent to invade the Japanese-held island of Iwo Jima in early 1945. During the battle, she supported the operations of the gunfire support force by delivering ammunition to ships that were in turn supporting the Marines ashore. In this capacity, she came under fire by Japanese shore batteries. Her flag was replaced on or shortly after 2 March 1945. The ship’s supply officer, LTjg. William Helscher, placed the flag in storage but later discovered it among his belongings. He donated the flag to the Naval Historical Center, the forerunner to the Naval History and Heritage Command, some 55 years later. Helscher explained in his own words what the flag meant to him: Donating it “in the name of the officers and enlisted men who served aboard the Shasta in World War II in the Pacific, my hope is that it can serve as a testimonial to the honor and courage and to the horror and sacrifice that was Iwo Jima.” U.S Naval History and Heritage Command Acession # NHHC 2000-26-1	NHHC
	159k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6) rearming USS Vicksburg (CL-86)** while underway, circa March to May 1945. USS Vicksburg was a unit of TG38.1/58.1. Photo by Ray Rabreau and Walt Lansky. Courtesy of Frank Romano and Jeff Herne.	John Chiquoine
	90k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** under way, probably in the early or mid-1950s. US. Navy photo # USN 1044022, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
	123k	*USS Intrepid* (CVA-11) prepares to reprovision, 22 September 1957, from USS Shasta (AE-6)** in the North Atlantic near the Arctic circle while on NATO maneuvers. US Navy photo.	Andy Faltum
	36k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** at anchor, circa 1958, location unknown. Navy photo from "Jane's Fighting Ships" 1958-59 Edition	Robert Hurst
	328k	Aerial view of *USS Shasta* (AE-6) and USS Enterprise (CVN-65)** during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), April-May 1962 US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1962.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	377k	Aerial view of *USS Shasta* (AE-6) steaming alongside USS Enterprise (CVN-65)** during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), 5 April 1962 US National Archives Photo # USN 1063048 a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
	170k	Aerial view of *USS Shasta* (AE-6) steaming alongside USS Enterprise (CVN-65)** during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), 2 May 1962 US Navy photo.	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
	86k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** at anchor in Hampton Roads, VA., July 1964	© Richard Leonhardt
	62k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** passing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Hampton Roads in 1965. US Navy photo	Michael Boyd for his father F.M. Boyd SF1 USN USS Shasta 1954-55
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11477-8-65	243k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** tying up at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, VA., 10 August 1965 US Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. Photo #'s DAP-11477-8-65, DAP-11476-8-65 and DAP-11476-8-65 by PH1 M. R. Guy.	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11476-8-65	314k
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11475-8-65	246k
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11497-8-65	342k	Port bow, port quarter and starboard bow views of *USS Shasta* (AE-6)** under way in Hampton Roads, VA., 13 August 1965. US Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. Photo # DAP-11497-8-65, DAP-11502-8-65 and DAP-11499-8-65 by PH3 J. S. Stratford	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11502-8-65	197k
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11499-8-65	197k
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11501-8-65	192k	Port and Starboard side views of *USS Shasta* (AE-6)** under way in Hampton Roads, VA., 13 August 1965. US Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. Photo #'s DAP-11501-8-65 and DAP-11500-8-65 by PH3 J. S. Stratford.	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret.USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11500-8-65	223k
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11503-8-65	329k	Overhead bow on and stern views of *USS Shasta* (AE-6)** under way in Hampton Roads, VA., 13 August 1965. US Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. Photo #'s DAP-11503-8-65 and DAP-11398-8-65 by PH3 J. S. Stratford.	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret.USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
NAS Norfolk, # DAP-11498-8-65	447k
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) # CVA42-8454-12-66	261k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6) rearms USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42)** on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin, 12 December 1966. USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) Photo #'s CVA42-8454-12-66 and # CVA42-8457-12-66 by PH1 J. A. Hendericks	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret.USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) # CVA42-8457-12-66	176k
	23k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo
	322k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** at anchor, date an location unknown. US Navy photo.	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
	160k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** entering the harbor at Valletta, Malta in May 1967. US Navy photo.	David Schmitt YNCS USN Ret. USS Shasta October 1965 to February 1968
	91k	*USS Shasta* (AE-6)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, October 1969.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.

For more photos and information about USS Shasta, see:
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
AE/AOE Sailors Association

Commanding Officers
01	CAPT. Smith, Francis Adams	20 January 1942 - 16 August 1943
02	CDR. Ware, William Lynch	16 August 1943 - 14 December 1944
03	LCDR. St. George, William H.	14 December 1944 - 24 November 1945
04	LCDR. Young, Del Lord, USN	24 November 1945 - 10 August 1946
	Decommissioned	10 August 1946 - 15 July 1953
05	CAPT. Gaviglio, Peter Massimo, :RADM	15 July 1953 - 21 August 1954
06	CAPT. Kail, Robert Belden	21 August 1954 - 23 September 1955
07	CAPT. Hughes Jr., William Christopher :RADM	23 September 1955 - 4 August 1956
08	CAPT. Garth, Craig Ransom	4 August 1956 - 5 July 1957
09	CAPT. Schmidling, Matthew Stelzner	5 July 1957 - 16 July 1958
10	CAPT. White, Donald Morison :RADM	16 July 1958 - 4 April 1959
11	CAPT. Brower, Charles M. (Charlie)	4 April 1959 - 3 March 1960
12	CAPT. Sullivan, John William	3 March 1960 - 3 February 1961
13	CAPT. Isaman, Roy Maurice :RADM	3 February 1961 - 4 March 1962
14	CAPT. Tickle, Paul Amos	4 March 1962 - 22 March 1963
15	CAPT. Crommelin, Quentin Claiborne	22 March 1963 - 11 March 1964
16	CAPT. Hutchinson, John Leroy	11 March 1964 - 27 March 1965
17	CAPT. Graffy, Richard	27 March 1965 - 10 August 1966
18	CAPT. Forbes Jr., Bernard Brown (Beetle), USN (USNA 1944) :VADM	10 August 1966 - 28 July 1967
19	CAPT. Miller, David Lowry	28 July 1967 - 10 January 1969
20	CAPT. Maulden, Hoyt Porter	10 January 1969 - 1 July 1969


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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Last Updated 15 March 2024