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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Ara (AK-136)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Hotel - Echo - November NHEN

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Philippines Liberation Medal

Crater Class Cargo Ship

Laid down, 17 July 1941, as SS Daniel Boone, a Maritime Commission type (EC2-S-C1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCE hull 69) at California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA.

Launched, 14 January 1942

Completed and delivered, 15 April 1942, to the War Shipping Administration for operation under GAA contract by American Hawaiian SS Co.

Acquired by the US Navy, 3 December 1943

Commissioned, USS Ara (AK-136), 4 January 1944, LCDR. William B. Hudgins in command

During World War II USS Ara (AK-136) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign:

**Asiatic-Pacific Campaign**
Campaign and Dates
Marianas operation Capture and occupation of Guam, 27 July to 15 August 1944

Decommissioned, 26 November 1945, at Norfolk, VA. and returned to the Maritime Commission for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA., name reverted to SS Daniel Boone

Struck from the Naval Register, 5 December 1945

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 26 October 1971, removed from the Reserve Fleet anchorage, 6 January 1972, for delivery to Hierros Ardes S. A. Spain

USS Ara earned one battle star for World War II service

Specifications:
Displacement 4,023 t.(lt) 14,550 t.(fl)
Length 441' 6"
Beam 56' 11"
Draft 28' 4"
Speed 12.5 kts.

Complement

Officers 13

Enlisted 212

Cargo Capacity

non-refrigerated 420,277 Cu. ft. 7,800DWT

Largest Boom Capacity 30 t.

Armament

one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount

one single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mount

two single 40mm AA gun mounts

six single 20mm AA gun mounts

Fuel Capacity

NSFO 9,660 Bbls

Diesel 2,010 Bbls

Propulsion

one General Machine Corp. vertical triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine

two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers, 220psi 450°
Ships Service Generators
three reciprocating-drive 20Kw 120V D.C.
one turbo-drive 60Kw 120V D.C.

single propeller, 2,500shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
SS Daniel Boone (MCE hull 69)
	99k	SS Daniel Boone at California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA., after launching on 14 January 1942.	David Nixon
USS Ara (AK-136)
	65k	Stern view of *USS Ara* (AK-136)** off San Francisco, CA., 11 January 1944. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 267-44.	Darryl Baker
	71k	Broadside view of *USS Ara* (AK-136)** off San Francisco, CA., 11 January 1944. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 269-44.	Darryl Baker
	81k	*USS Ara* (AK-136)** off San Francisco, CA., 11 January 1944. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 270-44, now in the collections of the NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard Ship Files.	Tracy White
	75k	Bow on view of *USS Ara* (AK-136)** off San Francisco, CA., 11 January 1944. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 271-44.	Darryl Baker

USS Ara (AK-136)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Commanding Officers
01	LCDR. Hudgins, William B.	4 January 1944 - 1 June 1945
02	LT. Jacobs, William H.	1 June 1945 - 26 November 1945


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

Last Updated 16 September 2013