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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USNS Taluga (T-AO-62)
ex
USS Taluga (AO-62) (1944 - 1972)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Whiskey - Oscar - Sierra NWOS
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Falter (U)niform - 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, 16 April 1945, Kerama Retto) - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Second Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Korean Service Medal (4) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam)
Fourth Row - Vietnam Campaign Medal (6) - Philippines Presidential Unit Citation - Philippines Liberation Medal (1)
Fifth Row - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)
Personnel Awards

Purple Heart (12-WIA, 16 April 1945)

Cimarron Class Fleet Oiler:

Laid down, 23 December 1943, as a Maritime Commission type (T3-S2-A3) tanker hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 728), at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, Sparrows Point, MD.

Launched, 10 July 1944

Commissioned USS Taluga (AO-62), 25 August 1944, CDR. Hans M. Mikkelsen in command

During WWII USSTaluga was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

Campaign and Dates	Campaign and Dates
Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
Luzon operation Formosa attacks, 3 to 4, 9 and 15 January 1945 Luzon attacks, 6 to 7 January 1945 China Coast attacks, 12, and 16 January 1945	Okinawa Gunto operation 5th and 3d Fleet raids in support of Okinawa Gunto, 16 March to 2 June 1945
Iwo Jima operation Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 15 to 25 February 1945	3rd Fleet operations against Japan 10 to 14 July 1945

USS Taluga was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

Navy Occupation Service Medal	China Service Medal (extended)
2 September 1945 to 1 February 1946	2 September 1945 to 1 February 1946
10 July to 10 August 1946	10 July to 10 August 1946
3 to 9 March 1947	16 January to 2 February 1953
15 to 22 July 1948	14 December 1953 to 14 January 1954
26 to 31 August 1948	2 to 3 February 1955

During the Korean War USS Taluga participated in the following campaigns:

Campaign and Dates	Campaign and Dates
Korean War Campaigns
UN Summer-Fall Offensive 9 to 15 and 25 to 31 October 1951 16 to 25 November 1951	Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952 20 to 29 October 1952 4 to 10 and 23 to 30 November 1952 1 December 1952
Second Korean Winter 13 to 26 December 1951 7 to 25 January 1952 2 to 10 February 1952	Third Korean Winter 16 to 22 December 1952 26 February to 5 March 1953 18 to 27 March 1953 9 to 17 April 1953

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

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Advisory Campaign 3 to 5 March 1962 10 to 12 March 1962 20 to 26 April 1962 16 to 31 March 1965 3 to 14 April 1965 17 to 25 April 1965 28 April to 8 May 1965 18 to 29 May 1965 9 to 21 June 1965 1 to 3 July 1965	Sanctuary Counteroffensive 3 to 23 May 1970 25 May to 3 June 1970 8 to 11 June 1970
Vietnam Defense 4 to 7, 10 to 16 and 20 to 27 July 1965 2 to 10 August 1965	Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII 11 to 20 and 23 to 30 July 1970 8 to 16 August 1970 24 August to 2 September 1970
Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 15 to 22 June 1969 1 July 1969	Consolidation I 21 August to 19 September 1971
Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 24 to 31 March 1970 6 to 13 and 21 to 29 April 1970

Decommissioned, 4 May 1972, at Long Beach, CA.

Turned over to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) and placed in service as USNS Taluga (T-AO-62)

Placed out of service, date unknown

Struck from the Naval Register, 21 February 1992

Transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.

Title transfer to MARAD, 1 May 1999

USS Taluga earned four battle stars for World War II service, four battle stars for Korean War service the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with six campaign stars for Vietnam War service

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, withdrawn from the Reserve Fleet, 1 July 2010

Specifications:
Displacement 7,236 t.(lt) 25,440 t.(fl)
Length 553'
Beam 75'
Draft 32'
Speed 18.3 kts. (trial)

Complement

Officers 22

Enlisted 291

Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.

Armament

one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount

four single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mounts

four twin 40mm AA gun mounts

four twin 20mm AA gun mounts

Cargo Capacity

NSFO - 123,700 Bbls

Gasoline - 788,000 Gals

Fuel Capacity 15,000 Bbls

Propulsion

two Bethlehem Steel geared turbines

four Foster and Wheeler K-type boilers, 450psi 750°

double Falk Main Reduction Gear
Ship's Service Generators
two turbo-drive 400Kw 230V A.C.
one Diesel-drive 150Kw 230V A.C.

twin propellers, 13,500shp

Robert Hurst

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
USS Taluga (AO-62)
	298k	*Namesake* Taluga, a river in Liberty County Florida. The Taluga River once was considered a tributary of the Ochlockonee River, but the entire stretch may now be referred to as the Ochlockonee River on modern maps.	Tommy R. Trampp SK3USS Taluga
	266k	*USS Cassin Young* (DD-793) alongside USS Taluga (AO-62) during an underway replenishment, 20 February 1945. Taluga*'s Service Force was refueling ships of a carrier task group off Iwo Jima. Photo from the Ltjg. Lloyd Lavack collection of USS Taluga*.	Tommy Trampp
091906212	145k	Kamikaze Suicide Plane Attack on *USS Taluga* (AO-62)**, 16 April 1945. 091906212 - 091906213 - 091906214 Clearing away the wreckage of the suicide plane and pilots remains. 091906215 - Suicide planes propeller imbedded in catwalk 091906216 - part of the planes wing stuck in the ship's mast	Tommy R. Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
091906213	172k
091906214	92k
091906215	211k
091906216	94k
	122k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) refueling USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2).** US Navy photo	.
	142k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) refueling USS Oriskany (CVA-34) and USS Charles P. Cecil (DD-835).** US Navy photo
	265k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)** at anchor, circa 1951, location unknown.	Derrick S. Hartshorn, courtesy LTjg. Jerome Bolick USN Ret.
	130k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)** underway near Long Beach Naval Shipyard, 5 June 1952. US National Archives at Riverside Photo # LB060552-16701	Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
	124k	Overhead view of *USS Taluga* (AO-62)** refueling an unidentified Essex class aircraft carrier and destroyer. US Navy photo	Edward H. Cleary
	85k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) refueling Seventh Fleet ships during the second Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958. Taluga** worked out of Kaohsiung, Taiwan during this period..	Tommy R. Trampp SK3USS Taluga
	121k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)** under way, circa 1957 to 1961, location unknown.	Tommy R. Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	34k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62), bottom USS Kawishiwi (AO-146), center, and USS Hassayampa (AO-145)** top, underway off the Philippines in 1957. US Navy photo # 80-G-1013403	Robert Hurst
	182k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)** under way, 16 September 1958. location unknown. US Navy photo.	David Upton
	293k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) and USS Manatee (AO-58)** moored at Naval Station Pearl Harbor in 1960. Image is from the movie "The Wackiest Ship in the Army"	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	219k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)** under way alongside an unidentified aircraft carrier in rough seas, circa 1962 to 1973, probably off the coast of North or South Vietnam.	Tommy R. Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
0243aj	321k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) refueling USS Buchanan (DDG-14) and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43)*, possibly in the South China Sea on 3 July 1965. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15 was aboard. Parked aft on the flight deck, left to right, are: an A-4E Skyhawk* from Attack Squadron (VA) 155 "Silver Foxes," two F-8D Crusaders from Fighter Squadron (VF) 154 "Black Knights," and an A-4C Skyhawk from VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies." (0243aj)	O.W. Kirk Kuykendall, IC3, USS Buchanan, USS Oriskany, 1971-73
	410k
	133k
	120k
	232k	*USS Taluga* (AO-52) replenishes the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) and the guided missile frigate USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25)*, circa 1966. The Big E, with assigned Carrier Air Wing 9* (CVW-9), was deployed to Vietnam from 19 November 1966 to 6 July 1967. US Navy "All Hands" magazine April 1967, p. 15
	304k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) refueling USS Hancock (CVA-19)** and an unidentified destroyer off the coast of Japan in February 1967. Note the Soviet trawler (spy ship) in the distance.	Photo by Charles "Bud" Dehnert USS Hancock
	273k		Photo by Charles "Bud" Dehnert USS Hancock
	62k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) moored outboard of another AO at Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines Islands in 1967. Photo taken from USS Bausell (DD-845)**	Photo by Lee Noland STGC, USN Ret. USS Bausell.
	316k	Photo of the bridge area of *USS Taluga* (AO-62) while alongside USS Evans (DE-1023)** during a refueling evolution during a WESTPAC deployment in April 1967.	Photo by Darryl Baker
	350k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)drops away after refueling USS Evans (DE-1023)** during a WESTPAC deployment in April 1967. Photo taken from USS Evans.	Photo by Darryl Baker
	345k	*USCGC Minnetonka* (WHEC-67) going alongside USS Taluga (AO-62)** for refueling off the coast of South Vietnam, 1968.	Photos by Keith Barker, CDR, USCG (Ret.), USCGC Minnetonka
	443k
	445k
091904704	60k	*USS Neches* (AO-47), USS Passumpsic (AO-107) and USS Taluga (AO-62)** steam together in 1968, location unknown. U.S. Navy photo from USS Passumpsic (AO-107) 1968-1969 cruise book	Robert Hurst
091910732	184k		Robert Hurst
	117k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) coming alongside USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2)** off the coast of Vietnam, circa 1965 to 1971.	Tommy R. Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
0919062141	85k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) steams alongside HMAS Brisbane (D-41)** while preparing for an UNREP in 1971. Photo by Bob Westthorp RAN 1964-1988.	Bob Canchola
	111k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)** at anchor, date and location unknown.	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	549k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62) refueling USS Bayfield (APA-33)** in WestPac, date unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR (Ret)
	107k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)** under way, circa 1969, location unknown. US Navy photo by PH 1 Allen Choy	Robert Hurst
	58k	Post card commemorating *USS Taluga* (AO-62)**'s almost 28 years of continuous commissioned service.	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	118k	*USS Taluga* (AO-62)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
USNS Taluga (T-AO-62)
	38k	*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** underway, date and location unknown.	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	49k	*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** under way at San Diego, CA. with the assistance of tugs.	Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	536k	*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62) refueling USS Vancouver (LPD-2)** in the Gulf of Siam during Operation Eagle Pull in March 1975.	Photo by Richard Spring, CMDCM (SW/AW) USN Ret.
	436k	*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62) alongside USS Ranger (CVA-61)** during an underway replenishment at sea, circa 21 February - 22 September 1979. US Navy photo from USS Ranger 1979 Cruisebook.	John Slaughter, Webmaster, USS Ranger History & Memorial Site
	58k	*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** moored at the Foot of Broadway Pier, San Diego, CA. in 1980	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	381k	Stern view of *USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** moored pierside, at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI., November 1981.	Photo by Gerhard Mueller-Debus
	250k	*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** moored pierside, at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI., November 1981.	Photo by Chris Howell
	340k	*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** moored pierside, at Naval Supply Center Pearl Harbor, HI., January 1984.	Ron Reeves
MARAD
	218k	Stern view of ex-*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** moored in row F, National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA. in June 2010 Photo by Mike Holmes.	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	224k	Bow view of ex-*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** moored in row F, National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA. MARAD photo	Ron Reeves
	123k	Ex-*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** drydocked at Pier 70, BAE Systems� San Francisco Ship Repair facility in June 2010. Photo by Mike Holmes	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	184k	Ex-*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62) leaving BAE Systems� San Francisco Ship Repair under tow by the tug Scorpius** enroute to the breakers yard, ESCO Marine at Brownsville, TX., 26 July 2010. Photo by Mark VanDenBerg.	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	330k	Ex-*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** in the Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal, 21 August 2010 while enroute to Brownsville, TX. from San Francisco, CA. Photo by Bud Rothgeb.	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	117k	Ex-*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62) off of South Padre Island, TX., 31 August 2010, while under tow by the tug Eileen McAllister**. Photo by Bud Rothgeb and Bob Huggins.	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga
	1965k	Ex-*USNS Taluga* (T-AO-62)** at the end of her last journey, moored at ESCO Marine, Brownsville, Tx. awaiting dismantling, 2 September 2010. Photo by Bob Huggins, Wally Guterraz and Bud Rothgeb.	Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga

Additional Ships Patches and Memorabilia
Contributed by Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga 1957-61	Contributed by Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga 1957-61	Contributed by Mike Smolinski	Contributed by Mike Smolinski	Shoulder patch and ashtray presented to refueled ships 1957-61 Contributed by Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga	1970 WestPac Vietnam Patch Contributed by Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga	Contributed by Tommy Trampp SK3 USS Taluga

For more photos and information about USS Taluga, see;
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
MARAD Vessel History Database
Photo collections of Ltjg Lloyd LaVack and LTjg Carl B. Moseley USS Taluga
1955 Christmas Program
Postal Covers related to the ship

Commanding Officers
01	CDR. Mikkelsen, Hans Michael	25 August 1944 - 7 December 1945
02	CDR. Koch, George Phillip, USN	7 December 1945 - 13 January 1946
03	CDR. Llanso, Francisco J.	13 January 1946 - 21 February 1946
04	CAPT. Bowling Jr., Jack French	21 February 1946 - 1946
05	CAPT. Bowman, Roscoe Leroy, USN (USNA 1921A)	1946 - March 1947
06	CAPT. Raring, George Louis, USN (USNA 1932)	March 1947 - 1948
08	CAPT. Brady, Parke Howle, USN (USNA 1930) :RADM	1949 - 29 April 1950
09	CAPT. Thompson, Wells :RADM	29 April 1950 - 1951
10	CDR. Seagroves, Everett Edgar	1951 - September 1952
11	CDR. Pugh, Donald Ellsworth	September 1952 - 1954
12	CAPT. Roullard, George Dee	1954 -1956
13	CAPT. Whiting, George Harris, USN (USNA 1936)	1956 - 18 August 1958
14	CAPT. Kitch, William Lawrence, USN (USNA 1938)	23 July 1959 - January 1960
15	CAPT. Putman, Charles Francis, USN (USNA 1937)	January 1960 - July 1960
16	CAPT. Jackson, Henry Smith, USN (USNA 1938)	July 1960 - 1961
17	CAPT. Taylor, Thomas Hart, USN (USNA 1940)	1961 - 26 July 1962
18	CAPT. Hardy, John Ingolf, USN (USNA 1940)	26 July 1962 - 1 August 1963
19	CAPT. Maher, David Balfour, USN (USNA 1943)	1 August 1963 - 31 July 1964
20	CAPT. Colleran, Gerard Francis, USN (USN 1943)	31 July 1964 - 28 September 1965
21	CAPT. White, Edward Charles, USN (USNA 1945)	28 September 1965 - 27 September 1966
22	CAPT. Cooper, Parker Cleeve, USN	27 September 1966 - 14 August 1967
23	CAPT. Kodis, Anthony James	14 August 1967 - 23 December 1968
24	CAPT. Boyd, Edward Ayres, USN :RADM	23 December 1968 - 1 May 1970
25	CAPT. Grause, Jerome Edward, USN	1 May 1970 - 1971
26	CAPT. Caldwell Jr., Robert Hugh, USN (USNA 1936)	1971 - 1971
27	CDR. Ruhle, Robert Carl	1971 - 4 May 1972


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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

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Last Updated 18 October 2024

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Taluga (T-AO-62)ex USS Taluga (AO-62) (1944 - 1972)

USNS Taluga (T-AO-62)
ex
USS Taluga (AO-62) (1944 - 1972)