USS Pecos (AO-65)
USS Pecos (AO-65) was a Suamico-class fleet replenishment oiler named after the Pecos River in the Southwest. It began life as Corsicana, a type T3-SE-A1 tanker, laid down April 20, 1942, by Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. in Chester, Pennsylvania. It was launched August 17, 1942, acquired by the Navy August 29, 1942, and commissioned October 5, 1942.
After operating along the Atlantic coast, Pecos crossed the Panama Canal and reached the Pacific. On February 18, 1943, it arrived at Fanui Bay, Bora Bora, where it supported a large group of escort ships and landing craft, delivering fuel to small boats that came alongside in turn. Pecos then aided the Tarawa operation in the Gilbert Islands and, after repairs on the West Coast, headed back to the Pacific in early 1944.
On February 2, 1944, Pecos helped guide the battleship USS Washington into Majuro after Indiana’s collision, working in the dark to maneuver Washington into the harbor and staying on station overnight. The oiler then refueled ships in the Marshall Islands and supported operations in the Palau and Philippine areas. On July 10, 1944, while anchored off Saipan, enemy artillery shells flew over Pecos as it refueled cruisers, destroyers, and other ships.
Pecos continued fueling duties between Eniwetok and Manus and later supported the Palau invasion. In January 1945, Japanese aircraft attacked Pecos while it moved toward Mindoro; a bomb exploded close astern, temporarily blowing the oil pump fuses and nearly stopping the main engine. On January 4, three enemy planes attacked the Mangarin Bay anchorage at Mindoro; one bomb hit near Pecos, bending a cargo boom. Despite more enemy planes and bomb threats, Pecos shot down several attackers and continued fueling a major task force for the Lingayen Gulf landings.
In February 1945 Pecos supplied aviation gasoline for Army Air Forces units at Mangarin Bay and then moved to Ulithi to prepare for the Okinawa operation. April and May found Pecos at sea off Okinawa, fueling 3rd Fleet ships and spending time near Hagushi. On May 20, a large Japanese air raid hit five picket ships, but Pecos was not damaged. The oiler sailed home, reaching the United States on May 28, 1945, and after overhaul left San Francisco on August 14 as word of the war’s end arrived. By September 26, Pecos was in Sasebo, Japan, fueling vessels there.
Pecos decommissioned March 14, 1946, and was transferred to the Maritime Commission April 1, 1947, then struck from the Navy List April 23, 1947. It was reacquired by the Navy in January 1948 and reinstated on the Navy List March 20, 1950. On July 18, 1950, Pecos entered service with the Military Sea Transportation Service under a civilian crew, operated by Mathiasen's Tanker Industry Inc. until 1975. In October 1957, Pecos received the distress call from USS Merrimack and towed her to Bombay, India, with the Pecos assisting until the other ship was stabilized.
Pecos was scrapped in July 1975. The ship earned seven Battle Stars for its World War II service.
Quick facts
- Type: Suamico-class fleet replenishment oiler
- Displacement: 5,782 long tons light / 21,880 long tons full
- Length: 523 ft 6 in; Beam: 68 ft; Draft: 30 ft
- Propulsion: Turbo-electric, single screw, 8,000 hp
- Speed: 15.5 knots
- Capacity: 140,000 barrels
- Crew: 251
- Armament (historical): various anti-air and deck guns (as listed in service records)
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:43 (CET).