USS Suisun (AVP-53)

USS Suisun (AVP-53) was a United States Navy Barnegat-class small seaplane tender in commission from 1944 to 1955.

Construction, commissioning, and shakedown

Suisun was laid down on 4 October 1942 by Lake Washington Shipyard at Houghton, Washington. She waslaunched on 14 March 1943, sponsored by Mrs. C. W. Martyr, and commissioned on 13 September 1944 with Commander James. J. Vaughan in command.

After fitting out, Suisun steamed to San Diego, California, on 18 October 1944 for her shakedown cruise, which lasted until 21 November 1944. She then had a post-shakedown yard availability period.

World War II operations 1944-1945

Central Pacific operations

Suisun departed the United States West Coast for Hawaii on 7 December 1944. She arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 14 December 1944, and departed for Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands on 18 December 1944. She remained at Eniwetok from 26 December 1944 to 1 January 1945, when she sailed to the Marianas Islands. From there she went to Ulithi Atoll in Caroline Islands for three days.

On 13 January 1945, Suisun got underway for Kossol Passage in the Palau Islands, and operated there until 5 February 1945, when she returned to Ulithi. On 8 April 1945 she sailed to the Marianas and operated there until mid-April 1945.

Operations in the Ryukyu Islands

Suisun departed Saipan in the Marianas on 20 April 1945 and anchored at Kerama Retto in the Ryukyu Islands, on 25 April 1945. She tended seaplanes until forced to leave for Saipan...
Read More