Subscribe
Tripoli 101: CVE-64 The First Tripoli
By: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julian Moorefield
The Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Tripoli (CVE 64) was the first of its name in a proud history of U.S. naval warships
Originally named Didrickson Bay (ACV 64)when the keel was laid on February 1, 1943 the ship was later renamed Tripoli, and it was launched five short months later at Kaiser Shipyards in Vancouver, Washington. That same year Tripoli was sponsored by Mrs. Leland D. Webb and commissioned on October 31, in Astoria, Oregon.
Following Tripoli’s shakedown period in San Diego the ship began its journey through the Panama Canal to its new homeport in Norfolk, Va. before getting underway in March 15, 1944. Tripoli’s mission now was to patrol the Atlantic Ocean and disrupt German U-boat activities during World War II.
As the center ship of Escort Carrier Task Group 21.15 (TG21.15), Tripoli started its patrol west of the Cape Verde Islands with the embarked Composite Squadron (VC) 13. Comprised of Grumman FM-2 Wildcats and TBM Avengers, the aircraft would search for German U-boats that would surface for refueling and supply operations with Type XIV U-boats known as “Milch Cows”.
Tripoli’s first enemy encounter happened on April 19, when one of VC-13’ Avengers made radar contact with U-51t3 and engaged in battle. U-51t3 returned fire on the aircraft but ultimately decided to dive rather than continuing the fight, causing it to miss its refueling rendezvous with “Milch Cow” U-408.
In June of 1944, Tripoli returned to Norfolk to undergo carrier qualification training with newly embarked Composite Squadron (VC) 6. After two months of training with VC-6 aboard, Tripoli headed toward Racife, Brazil where it would continue its patrol and disruption U-boat activities.
Upon arrival in Racife on August 13, Tripoli reported for duty as the center ship for Escort Carrier Task Group 47.7 (TG47.7) in U.S. 4th Fleet. In this area of operation, Tripoli saw an increase in enemy contacts during its patrols, and took part in the sinking of U-1062 while damaging U-219.
After refueling in Racife, Tripoli made one more patrol before heading back to Norfolk to undergo an overhaul period. When Tripoli finished its overhaul, the ship transited back to the Pacific in January of 1945 in order to take part in a ferry run. Tripoli brought much needed fighter aircraft and bombers from Hilo, Hawaii to Roi in the Marshall Islands.
After this ferry run, Tripoli conducted training operations until the surrender of Japan in 1945. Tripoli’s next endeavor was to participate in operation “Magic Carpet”. This immense operation used hundreds of Navy ships to bring home millions of service members from both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of the war. Tripoli made several runs between Hawaii and California before heading to Norfolk in May of 1946 to be decommissioned.
In 1952, Tripoli was brought out of retirement and recommissioned to support the Korean War effort as part of the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS). Over the next six years Tripoli made 44 transport voyages mostly in the Mediterranean and Europe, providing troop and aircraft transportation.
On November 25, 1958 Tripoli was decommissioned for the final time in New Orleans, after having an honorable and distinguished service record in both World War II and the Korean War. Approximately a 13 months later, in an interesting footnote, the ship built to fight the Axis powers in WWII, Tripoli was sold for scrap to a firm from Japan.
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2018 11:35 |
| Story ID: | 304837 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 268 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Tripoli 101: CVE-64 The First Tripoli, by PO1 Julian R Moorefield III, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
