USS Susquehanna (AOG-5)

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USS Susquehanna (AOG-5) was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker that served the United States Navy during World War II and later with the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS). Named for the Susquehanna River, she supported fleet operations in the Pacific from 1943 to 1946 and then shuttled fuel between Japan and Korea for MSTS from 1950 to 1959. She was scrapped in 1973.

Construction and early service
- Built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in Seattle, Washington. Keel laid September 9, 1942; launched November 23, 1942; commissioned June 7, 1943.
- Shakedown in California, then moved to Australia to support Seventh Fleet units. Arrived Townsville, Australia, August 18, 1943, and operated chiefly between Australia and New Guinea, delivering aviation fuel and other gas to fleet ships and bases, including PT boats at Buna.

World War II operations
- From late 1943 through 1944, Susquehanna operated in the New Guinea and Dutch East Indies areas, delivering gasoline and cargo.
- In December 1944 she carried fuel to Leyte and began supporting campaigns in the Philippines, including Mindoro and surrounding airstrips.
- On January 3, 1945, during an enemy-air attack on a convoy near Mindoro, Susquehanna helped defend the group and fired on attacking aircraft.
- She returned to the New Guinea area and then went to Manila, where she remained until mid-1946.

postwar service and fate
- Transferred to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps on August 15, 1946, and struck from the Navy list April 23, 1947.
- Reacquired by the Navy and reinstated July 1, 1950 for MSTS service as T-AOG-5, operating mainly between Japan and Korea for about nine years.
- Departed Yokosuka for the United States February 17, 1959, arriving in San Francisco March 6, 1959. Placed in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet March 26, 1959 and struck that same day.
- Sold August 10, 1973 to Levin Metals Corp. for $43,655. Removed from Suisun Bay September 30, 1973 and scrapped shortly afterward.

Specifications (brief)
- Class and type: Patapsco-class gasoline tanker
- Displacement: 4,335 long tons full load
- Length: 310 ft 9 in; Beam: 48 ft 6 in; Draft: 15 ft 8 in
- Propulsion: 4 General Electric diesel-electric engines, 3,300 hp
- Speed: 14 knots
- Crew: 134
- Armament: 4 × 3"/50 caliber guns