USNS Blue Jacket (T-AF-51)

USNS Blue Jacket (T-AF-51) was an Alstede-class stores ship acquired by the U.S. Navy for use during World War II. However, during the war, she was operated by the United Fruit Company, and it was not until 1950 that she was reacquired by the Navy for use by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS).

Blue Jacket--a C2-S-B1 type freighter--was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 183) on 23 October 1941 at Oakland, California, by the Moore Dry Dock Co.; launched on 14 February 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Edward U. Read; and delivered to her operators, the United Fruit Co., on 25 March 1943.

Assigned to the MSTS

Acquired by the Navy, from the Army, on 1 March 1950, Blue Jacket was classified as a refrigerator ship, T-AF-51, and assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), Atlantic Area. She operated as such, lifting cargoes of various kinds (mostly consisting of refrigerated stores) between the United States and European ports through the late 1960's. Taken out of service with MSTS on 19 August 1970,

Inactivation and decommissioning

Blue Jacket was transferred on that day to the temporary custody of the Maritime Administration for lay-up in the James River, Virginia. On 1 September 1971, she was transferred to the permanent custody of that agency; and her name was struck from the Navy list on 19 October 1971. Sold to Andy International, Inc., of Houston, Texas, on 1 March 1973, the ship was later scrapped.

Military awards and honors

Blue Jacket’s crew was eligible for the following medals:

• National Defense Service Medal (1)

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

External links

• Photo gallery of Blue Jacket at NavSource Naval History