U.S.S. Saugatuck
Hull # 335, the U.S.S. Saugatuck was built in Philadelphia in 1942 and launched on the one year anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1942.
John Chiquoine and Carmen Costa, courtesy Al DeSantis collection typhoon okinawa
She was named after a river in Connecticut, the Saugatuck River. Saugatuck means “river that flows out” in the Paugusset Indian dialect.
As a Suamica Class Tanker she saw action in the Pacific during World War 2-fueling battle ships at sea.
She was the recipient of 7 Battle Stars:
- Marianas operation- Capture and occupation of Saipan, 11 June to 10 August 1944. Marianas operation- Capture and occupation of Guam, 12 July to 15 August 1944
- Tinian operation- Capture and occupation, 20 July to 10 August 1944
- Western Caroline Island operation- Raid on Volcano-Bonin Islands and Yap Island, 31 August to 8 September 1944. Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, 6 September to 14 October 1944. Assaults on the Philippine Islands, 9 to 24 September 1944
- Luzon operation- 3rd Fleet supporting operations, Luzon attacks, 6 and 7 January 1945, Formosa attacks, 3, 4, 9, 15, and 21 January 1945, China Coast attacks, 12 and 16 January 1945
- Iwo Jima operation- Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 23 February to 7 March 1945
- Okinawa Gunto operation- Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 16 to 24 March 1945
- 3rd Fleet operations against Japan- 14 to 28 February 1945
Photo by Mabel Clark 2006
In July 2006 MARAD listed the Saugatuck under their disposal program.
Crew stories can be found here.
Photo - Pieter Bakels
Saugutuck seen on right fueling a battleship in the Pacific.
Fascinating. I have wondered about that river’s name.
What a great ship!!