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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USCGC Nettle (WAK-169)
ex
 USAV FS-396 (1945 - 1947)



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal (FS-396)- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (FS-396)
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal (FS-396) - National Defense Service Medal (WAK-169)- Philippines Liberation Medal (FS-396)

USAV FS-396 was manned by the US Coast Guard during World War II
Freight-Supply Vessel
  • Laid down in 1945 as the Design 381 Freight-Supply Vessel FS-396 for the US Army at Ingalls Iron Works, Decatur, AL.
  • Launched in 1945
  • Delivered to the US Army Quartermaster Corps in January 1945
  • Assigned to the US Army Transportation Corps
  • Commission USAV FS-396, 18 January 1945, at Decatur, AL., LTjg. E.H. Bowler, USCGR in command
  • LTjg Bowler was relieved, 29 October 1945 by LTjg. R.H. Johnson, USCGR
  • USAV FS-396 was assigned to duty in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater - Southwest Pacific and Western Pacific areas during World War II
  • Decommissioned, 18 January 1946
  • Transferred to the US Coast Guard, 1 October 1947
  • Commissioned USCGC Nettle (WAK-169) after refitting as an aids to navigation tender in 1947
  • From 1947 to 1952 Nettle was homeported at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands
  • In 1952 Nettle's homeport became Guam in the Mariana Islands where she provided logistical support for LORAN stations at Ulithi, Saipan, Cocos, Kwajelein, and Kwadak Island as well as servicing aids to navigation at Tinian and Rota in the Mariana Islands
  • In August 1953 Nettle's homeport was changed to Naval Station Sangley Point, Cavite, Philippines in August 1953 where she provided logistical support for LORAN stations at Bataan, Batanes, Naulo Point, Zambales, Talumpulan, Busuanga, Tarumpitao Point, Palawan, and Panay
  • Decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard and transferred to the Philippines Coast Guard, 9 January 1968, as BRP Limasawa (AE-79)
    FS Specifications:
    Displacement (As Built) 557 gross tons
    Length (As Built) 177'
    Beam 32'
    Draft 14'
    Speed 12 kts
    Freight Capacity unknown
    Complement unknown
    Armament unknown
    Propulsion two 500hpGM Cleveland Division 6-278A 6-cyl V6 diesel engines, twin screws
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    USAV FS-396 / USCGC Nettle (WAK-169)
    U.S Coast Guard Historian's Office
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 17 November 2023