USS Luna (AKS-7)
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| Career (US) |  |
|---|---|
| Ordered: |
as SS Harriet Hosmer EC2-S-C1 hull, MCE hull 1528 |
| Laid down: | 23 April 1943 |
| Launched: | 30 September 1943 |
| Acquired: | 2 November 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 31 January 1944 |
| Decommissioned: | 28 April 1946 |
| Struck: | date unknown |
| Fate: | scrapped in 1965 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 4,023 t.(lt) 14,350 t.(fl) |
| Length: | 441 ft 7 in (134.59 m) |
| Beam: | 56 ft 11 in (17.35 m) |
| Draught: | 27 ft 7 in (8.41 m) |
| Propulsion: | reciprocating steam engine, single shaft, 2,500hp |
| Speed: | 11 kts |
| Endurance: | 17,000 miles |
| Complement: | 195 |
| Armament: | one 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount, one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, eight single 20mm gun mounts |
USS Luna (AKS-7) was an Acubens-class general stores issue ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for delivering and disbursing goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.
Luna (AKS-7) was laid down as SS Harriet Hosmer under Maritime Commission contract by J. A. Jones Construction Co., Panama City, Florida, 23 April 1943; launched 30 September 1943; acquired by the Navy 2 November 1943; converted by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida ; renamed Luna 18 November 1943; and commissioned 31 January 1944, Lt. Comdr. James A. F. Knowlton In command.
World War II operations
Luna departed Norfolk, Virginia, 19 March 1944, passed through the Panama Canal, and arrived Pearl Harbor 15 April. After being assigned to ServRon 10, she sailed for her first issue area 19 April, and arrived Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands, 27 April to service units of the U.S. 5th Fleet. After a short voyage to Kwajalein, she proceeded to Eniwetok 3 June, and returned Pearl Harbor 8 July. She then steamed to Oakland, California, the 6th to reload at the Naval Supply Depot; this was to be her only return to the United States until after the war.
End-of-war activity
From 1944 to 1946, the ship continued servicing the U.S. 3rd Fleet and the U.S. 5th Fleet in the South Pacific. While at Ulithi, Caroline Islands, 24 October 1945, she assisted Virburnum (AN-57) who had struck a mine. After successfully completing seven issuing voyages and servicing 1,121 different ships, Luna was ordered to Tokyo Bay 25 September 1945 to load for the final voyage home.
Post-war decommissioning
She arrived San Francisco, California, 28 December, and returned to Pearl Harbor, where she was decommissioned 28 April 1946. She was then towed back to San Francisco and delivered to the Maritime Commission 21 May 1947.
Military awards and honors
Luna's crew was eligible for the following medals:
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
External links
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