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HistoryUSS Mackinac (AVP-13) HistoryHistory

Circa 1992

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News Magazine "...Patrol Aviation In The Pacific In WWII - Naval Aviation News - July-August 1992.." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1992/ja92.pdf [11NOV2004]

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Circa 1944

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...TENDING AT KOSSL PASSAGE - On 3 September 1944, Commodore Dixwell KETCHAM, U. S. N. came aboard the CHANDELEUR as Commander FAW-1 and Commander Task Group 59.3. This flag remained aboard the AV-10 until 15 October. After completing all checks on the planes of VP-202 and VP-216, and VH-1 the USS Chandeleur (AV-10) was ready to go and on 12 September, 1944 this vessel got underway as part of Task Group 59.3 consisting of the USS Chandeleur (AV-10), USS Pocomoke (AV-9), USS Mackinac (AVP-13), U. S. S. YAKUTAT, and U. S. S. ONSLOW. The task group proceeded to a position latitude 7 degrees 30 minutes north and longitude 138 degrees east to await further orders. Upon receiving the expected orders the task group set its course for KOSSOL PASSAGE, PALAU ISLANDS and arrived at 1130 on 16 September 1944. Hundreds of mines were being sunk on all sides, many even after we were anchored..." Contributed by Bruce Barth bbarth1@austin.rr.com, Director Mariner/Marlin Association [30NOV2000]


Circa 1942

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Aircraft Tender ThumbnailCamera "...USS Mackinac (AVP-13), 1942-1949..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-m/avp13.htm [16FEB2004]
USS Mackinac, a 1,766-ton Barnegat-class small seaplane tender, was built at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, and was commissioned in January 1942. Her first duty following trials was to carry the explorer Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd (retired) on an inspection tour of U.S. bases in the South Pacific in May and June 1942. In August 1942 she commenced duty in support of operations in the Solomons, during which she set up several advanced bases for seaplanes. At one of these, two enemy submarines surfaced and shelled Mackinac and Ballard (AVD-10), along with their seaplanes. The two tenders returned the fire, but neither side suffered any damage. In July 1943 Mackinac departed Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides to receive a two month overhaul at Mare Island.
Mackinac resumed seaplane tending duties in November 1943 when she arrived in the Gilberts. She then participated in a series of campaigns in the Central Pacific, culminating in operations at Okinawa in mid-1945. This service was interrupted only by two months of repairs at San Diego in early 1945. Following the Japanese surrender, Mackinac performed occupation duty in Japan through January 1946 and then proceeded to Orange, Texas, where she was decommissioned in November 1946. Mackinac was loaned to the Coast Guard in April 1949 and served out of New York as the cutter Mackinac (WAVP-371, later WHEC-371) through 1967. She was returned to the Navy and expended as a target in July 1968.


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