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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Patch at left contributed by Mike Smolinski, patch at right by Bill Valashinas

USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10)
ex
USAF General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (1961 - 1964)
USNS General Harry Taylor (T-AP-145) (1950 - 1957)
USAT General Harry Taylor (1946 - 1950)
USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145) (1944 - 1946)

USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Juliet - Hotel - Bravo
NJHB
USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Bravo - Bravo - Papa NBBP

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Europe clasp) - National Defense Service Medal

General G. O. Squier Class Transport

Laid down, in 1943, as a Maritime Commission type (C4-S-A1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 702) at Kaiser Co. Inc., Yard No. 3, Richmond, CA.

Launched, 10 October 1943

Acquired by the Navy, 29 March 1944

Commissioned USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145), 8 May 1944, CAPT. James L. Wyatt in command

During World War II USS General Harry Taylor transported passengers in both the Asiatic-Pacific and Europe-Africa-Middle East Theaters of Operation

Decommissioned, 13 June 1946, at Baltimore, MD.

Struck from the Naval Register, 3 July 1946

Transferred to the US Army Transport Service and placed in commission as USAT General Harry Taylor

Reacquired by the Navy, and assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 1 March 1950

Placed in service as USNS General Harry Taylor (T-AP-145)

While assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service USNS General Harry Taylor was assigned to Occupation service in Europe for the following periods:

Navy Occupation Service Medal

22 to 26 July 1953

23 to 24 August 1953

23 to 26 September 1953

20 to 22 October 1953

17 to 19 November 1953

20 to 22 March 1954

18 to 20 April 1954

17 to 20 June 1954

25 to 27 June 1954

25 to 27 July 1954

23 to 26 August 1954

25 to 27 November 1954

24 to 27 December 1954

22 to 24 January 1955

22 to 24 February 1955

29 to 31 March 1955

27 to 30 April 1955

Placed out of service, 19 September 1957

Transferred to the Maritime Commission, 10 July 1958, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX.

Withdrawn from the Reserve Fleet and transferred to the US Air Force, 15 July 1961

Converted to a Missile Range Instrumentation Ship and renamed USAF General Hoyt S. Vandenberg

Reacquired by the Navy, 13 July 1964, and placed in service by the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10)

Placed out of service, date unknown

Struck from the Naval Register, 29 April 1993

Title transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 1 May 1999, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Lee Hall, VA.

Transfer Agreement with the State of Florida signed 26 January 2007. for reefing in the Florida Keys

Withdrawn from the James River Reserve Fleet, 4 April 2006, for clean up and preparation at Colonna Shipyard Norfolk, VA. prior to sinking as an artificial reef

AP Specifications:
Displacement 9,950 t(lt) 17,250 t.(fl)
Length 522' 10"
Beam 71' 6"
Draft 26' 6"
Speed 16.5 kts (trial)

Complement

Officers 32

Enlisted 324

Troop Accommodations

Officers 228

Enlisted 3,595

Cargo Capacity 1,900 DWT

non-refrigerated 70,000 cu. ft.

Armament

four single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts

four twin 1.1" gun mounts (replaced by four twin 40mm AA gun mounts)

fifteen twin 20mm AA gun mounts

Fuel Capacity NSFO 13,300 Bbls
Propulsion

one Westinghouse geared turbine

two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers, 465psi 765°

double Westinghouse Main Reduction Gears

three turbo-drive 400Kw 240V D.C. Ship's Service Generators

single propeller, 9,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145)
	12k	*Namesake* Harry Taylor -- born on 26 June 1862 in Tilton, N.H. -- graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1884, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 15 June 1884. In the years that followed, Taylor served in the field on various projects, including East Coast defenses and the Columbia River project. By 1916, he was Assistant Chief of Engineers in charge of the River and Harbor Division. At the start of America's participation in World War I, he sailed for France as Chief Engineer Officer, American Expeditionary Force. In this capacity he supervised the construction of railways, barracks, wharves, and shelters throughout France. Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Taylor returned to Washington and was named Major General, Chief of Engineers, on 19 June 1924. He retired on 26 June 1926 and died of pneumonia on 27 January 1930 in Washington, D.C. Photo from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	Bill Gonyo
	51k	*USS General Harry Taylor* (AP-145)**, date and location unknown.	Dan Kovalchik
	299k	*USS General Harry Taylor* (AP-145)** arriving probably at New York during one of her two Magic Carpet voyages from Marseilles, France, in 1945.	John Bednar, grandson of CDR. Leonard B. Jaudon USN, CO 28 March 1945 - 1 November 1945
USAT General Harry Taylor
	215k	USAT General Harry Taylor moored pierside at Staten Island, N.Y., date unknown.	Jim Geldert
	225k	USAT General Harry Taylor moored pierside at Bremerhaven, Germany, date unknown.	Tom Crowe
092214538	256k	USAT General Harry Taylor arriving in New York with military personnel from Europe, date unknown.	Gerhard Muller Debus
USNS General Harry Taylor (T-AP-145)
	58k	*USNS General Harry Taylor* (T-AP-145)**, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Bill Valashinas
	85k	Water color of *USNS General Harry Taylor* (T-AP-145)**	Bill Valashinas
	879k	*USNS General Harry Taylor* (T-AP-145)**, ships' position, 5 November 1951, in German for the benefit of the majority of the passengers who were Displaced Persons from a refugee camp in Austria.	Tom Crowe
	106k	*USNS General Harry Taylor* (T-AP-145)** departing Charleston, S.C., 9 March 1954, after loading troops there. Note her updated lifeboat arrangement and the goal post mast aft of the bridge. US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. Unknown, courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Mike Green
092214537	283k	*USNS General Harry Taylor* (T-AP-145)** underway, date and location unknown. U.S. Navy Military Sea Transportation Service photo	Nicholas Tiberio
USAF General Hoyt S. Vandenberg
	157k	*Namesake* The general was born at Milwaukee, Wis., in 1899. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy June 12, 1923, and commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Service. General Vandenberg graduated from the Air Service Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas, in February 1924, and from the Air Service Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, in September 1924. His first assignment was with the Third Attack Group at Kelly Field, where he assumed command of the 90th Attack Squadron. In 1927, he became an instructor at the Air Corps Primary Flying School at March Field, Calif. He went to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in May 1929, to join the Sixth Pursuit Squadron, and assumed command of it the following November. Returning in September 1931, he was appointed a flying instructor at Randolph Field, Texas, and became a flight commander and deputy stage commander there in March 1933. He entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Ala., in August 1934, and graduated the following June. Two months later he enrolled in the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and completed the course in June 1936. He then became an instructor at the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, where he taught until September 1936, when he entered the Army War College. After graduating from the War College in June 1939, General Vandenberg was assigned to the Plans Division in the Office of the Chief of Air Corps. A few months after the United States entered World War II, he became operations and training officer of the Air Staff. For his services in these two positions he received the Distinguished Service Medal. In June 1943, General Vandenberg was assigned to the United Kingdom and assisted in the organization of the Air Forces in North Africa. While in Great Britain he was appointed chief of staff of the 12th Air Force, which he helped organize. On Feb. 18, 1943, General Vandenberg became chief of staff of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force and with this air force he flew on numerous missions over Tunisia, Italy, Sardinia, Sicily and Pantelleria during the North African campaign. He was awarded both the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his services during this time. For his organizational ability with the 12th Air Force and his work as chief of staff of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. General Vandenberg, in August 1943, was assigned to Air Corps headquarters as deputy chief of air staff. A month later he became head of an air mission to Russia, under Ambassador Harriman, and returned to the United States in January 1944. Two months later he was transferred to the European theater, and in April 1944, was designated deputy air commander in chief of the Allied Expeditionary Forces and commander of its American Air Component. In August 1944, General Vandenberg assumed command of the Ninth Air Force. On Nov. 28, 1944, he received an oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal for his part in planning the Normandy invasion. He was appointed assistant chief of air staff at Air Corps headquarters in July 1945. The following January he became director of Intelligence on the War Department general staff where he serviced until his appointment in June 1945, as director of Central Intelligence. He returned to duty with the Air Corps in April 1947, and on June 15, 1947, became deputy commander and chief of air staff. He was designated vice chief of staff of the Air Force on Oct. 1, 1947, and promoted to the rank of general. On April 30, 1948, General Vandenberg became chief of staff of the Air Force, succeeding General Carl Spaatz. He was re-nominated by President Harry S. Truman for a second term as chief of staff March 6, 1952, to June 30, 1953, and the nomination was confirmed by the Senate on April 28, 1952. General Vandenberg retired from active duty June 30, 1953. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, Victory Medal, American Campaign Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon and the European-African-Middle East Campaign Ribbon. His foreign decorations include: Mexican Military Order of Merit; Netherlands Order of Orange Nassau (Grand Officer with Swords); Brazilian Cruz del Sol (Grand Officer), and Medal of War; Luxembourg Order of Adolph von Nassau (Grand Cross), and Croix de Guerre; Belgian Order of Leopold I (Grand Officer with Palms); and Croix de Guerre with Palms; British Order of the Bath (Knight Commanders Cross); Polish Order of Polish Restoration (2nd Class Portuguese Ordem de Avis, Gra Cruiz; Egyptian L'Ordre Du Nil Grand Cordon; Chinese Order of Pao Ting (Tripod with Grand Cordon); Chilean Medallia Militar de Primerera Clase; Argentine General Staff Emblem and the Military Order of Italy. The general died on April 2, 1954.	Bill Gonyo
	129k	USAF General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	William Zarkas, Retired MSC Boatswain President, MSC Retiree Association
	76k	USAF General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, date and location unknown. US Navy photo *Sealift Magazine*, October 1968	Bill Valashinas
USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10)
	81k	*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Bill Valashinas
	32k	*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	J Copp
092214536	246k	*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** underway, date and location unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
	208k	*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Dan Kovalchik
	190k	*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy Military Sea Transportation Service photo.	Robert Hurst
	326k	*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** moored at Midway Island, 31 May 1975.	Photos by Fred Sloop
	284k		Photos by Fred Sloop
	394k	*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** moored at Pier K7, Pearl Harbor, 2 July 1975.	Photo by Fred Sloop
Ex- USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10)
	46k	Ex-*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** while under tow to Colonna Shipyard, Norfolk, VA. 4 April 2007.	Photo by Mabel Clark
	97k	Ex-*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10) moored at Colonna Shipyard, Norfolk, VA., 4 April 2007. Ex-Vandenberg** will undergo a seven month, six million dollar clean-up at Colonna Shipyard prior to being sunk as an artificial reef off the Florida coast. Note the Cyrillic lettering on the port side aft, a left over from the filming a few years ago of the motion picture "Virus".	Curtis A. Smith
	164k	Ex-*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** under tow enroute from Colonna Shipyard, Norfolk, VA. bound for Key West, FL., 20 April 2009.	Photos by Sheri L. Lohr
	2054k		Photos by Sheri L. Lohr
	71k	Ex-*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** moored at the Truman Annex, Key West, FL. 22 April 2009.	Sheri L. Lohr
	928k	Ex-*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** moored pierside at Key West, FL. in May 2009.	Robert Hurst
	224k	Ex-*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** moored pierside at the Truman Annex, Key West, FL. 22 May 2009.	photos by Cody Z. Shaffert
	379k
	324k
	237k
	260k
	188k
	397k	Ex-*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10)** in tow off Key West, FL., in May 2009 before being sunk as part of an artificial reef. Monroe County Library Collection. Image from Flickr, courtesy of Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00033751x	Robert Hurst
	129k	US Navy Construction Mechanic 1st Class Brandon Burrow, assigned to Underwater Construction Team 1 (UCT-1), surveys the wreckage of ex-*USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg* (T-AGM-10) during diver training aboard the US Army large landing craft USAV Matamoros (LCU-2026)*, Key West, FL., 13 January 2015. US Navy photo # 150113-N-YD328-095.* by MC2 Nicholas S. Tenorio.	Robert Hurst

For more photos and information about USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145) / USNS General Harry Taylor (T-AP-145) / USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10) see;
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
MARAD Vessel History Database

Phil Haberman's photos of the sinking of Vandenberg
Sinking The Vandenberg ... From Ship To Shipwreck - The Florida Keys and Key West

Commanding Officers
01	CAPT. Wyatt, James Louis	8 May 1945 - 28 March 1945
02	CDR. Jaudon, Leonard Bates, USN (USNA 1924)	28 March 1945 - 1 November 1945
03	CAPT. Karpe, Eugene Simon	1 November 1945 - 13 June 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

Last Updated 17 March 2023

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10)ex USAF General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (1961 - 1964) USNS General Harry Taylor (T-AP-145) (1950 - 1957) USAT General Harry Taylor (1946 - 1950) USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145) (1944 - 1946)

USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10)
ex
USAF General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (1961 - 1964)
USNS General Harry Taylor (T-AP-145) (1950 - 1957)
USAT General Harry Taylor (1946 - 1950)
USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145) (1944 - 1946)