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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}


{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
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|Ship caption=USS ''Bolster'' on 1 June 1974
|Ship caption=USS ''Bolster'' on 1 June 1974
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[United States]]
|Ship country=[[United States]]
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'''USS ''Bolster'' (ARS-38)''' was a {{sclass-|Bolster|rescue and salvage ship}} acquired by the [[U.S. Navy]] during [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]] and the [[Vietnam War]]. Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels.
'''USS ''Bolster'' (ARS-38)''' was a {{sclass|Bolster|rescue and salvage ship}} acquired by the [[U.S. Navy]] during [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]] and the [[Vietnam War]]. Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels.


''Bolster'' was launched 23 December 1944 by [[Basalt Rock Company]] in [[Napa, California]]; sponsored by Mrs. C. A. Mayo, Jr., wife of Lieutenant Mayo, [[USNR]]; commissioned 1 May 1945, Lieutenant W. F. Lewis in command; and joined the [[U.S. Pacific Fleet]].
''Bolster'' was launched 23 December 1944 by [[Basalt Rock Company]] in [[Napa, California]]; sponsored by Mrs. C. A. Mayo, Jr., wife of Lieutenant Mayo, [[USNR]]; commissioned 1 May 1945, Lieutenant W. F. Lewis in command; and joined the [[U.S. Pacific Fleet]].
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==End-of-World War II service==
==End-of-World War II service==


On 18 July 1945, after repair duty along the [[California]] coast, ''Bolster'' departed for [[Pearl Harbor]]. She remained there until 15 August when she sailed for [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], Japan. ''Bolster'' conducted repair and salvage operations in Japanese waters until leaving for [[Subic Bay]], [[Luzon]], 10 October 1946. She remained in the [[Philippines]] until April 1947 and then returned to Pearl Harbor via [[Okinawa]], [[Guam]], and [[Kwajalein]].{{fact|date=July 2020}}
On 18 July 1945, after repair duty along the [[California]] coast, ''Bolster'' departed for [[Pearl Harbor]]. She remained there until 15 August when she sailed for [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], Japan. ''Bolster'' conducted repair and salvage operations in Japanese waters until leaving for [[Subic Bay]], [[Luzon]], 10 October 1946. She remained in the [[Philippines]] until April 1947 and then returned to Pearl Harbor via [[Okinawa]], [[Guam]], and [[Kwajalein]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


==Korean War operations==
==Korean War operations==


''Bolster'' operated alternately out of Pearl Harbor and [[Adak, Alaska]], on salvage and towing duties until 22 August 1950. She then towed two barges to [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]], Japan, and remained in the [[Far East]] until 6 July 1951. During this tour she participated in the [[Battle of Inchon|Inchon landing]] (15 September 1950) and the [[Hungnam Evacuation]] (9–25 December 1950).{{fact|date=July 2020}}
''Bolster'' operated alternately out of Pearl Harbor and [[Adak, Alaska]], on salvage and towing duties until 22 August 1950. She then towed two barges to [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]], Japan, and remained in the [[Far East]] until 6 July 1951. During this tour she participated in the [[Battle of Inchon|Inchon landing]] (15 September 1950) and the [[Hungnam Evacuation]] (9–25 December 1950).{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


Since 1952 ''Bolster'' continued to operate out of Pearl Harbor and made six tours of the Far East, visiting Japan, [[Hong Kong]], [[Korea]], [[Okinawa]], and the [[Philippine Islands]].{{fact|date=July 2020}}
Since 1952 ''Bolster'' continued to operate out of Pearl Harbor and made six tours of the Far East, visiting Japan, [[Hong Kong]], [[Korea]], [[Okinawa]], and the [[Philippine Islands]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


==Vietnam service==
==Vietnam service==
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==Military awards and honors==
==Military awards and honors==
''Bolster’s'' crew was eligible for the following medals, ribbons, and commendations:
''Bolster's'' crew was eligible for the following medals, ribbons, and commendations:
* [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Letter of Commendation]]
* [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Letter of Commendation]]
* [[Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
* [[Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
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* [[Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
* [[Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]


''Bolster'' received seven battle stars for her [[Korean War]] service (9 September 1950 – 6 July 1951, 24 January-16 August 1952, and 16 February-15 April 1953);
''Bolster'' received seven battle stars for her [[Korean War]] service (9 September 1950 – 6 July 1951, 24 January – 16 August 1952, and 16 February – 15 April 1953);
* North Korean Aggression
* North Korean Aggression
* Communist China Aggression
* Communist China Aggression
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat|USS Bolster (ARS-38)}}
{{Commons category|USS Bolster (ARS-38)}}
* {{navsource|09/37/3738|Bolster}}
* {{navsource|09/37/3738|Bolster}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111010123441/http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/4emergencysmall/basalt.htm] Basalt Rock Company Shipbuilding History
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111010123441/http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/4emergencysmall/basalt.htm] Basalt Rock Company Shipbuilding History

Revision as of 08:24, 3 August 2021

USS Bolster on 1 June 1974
History
United States
BuilderBasalt Rock Company
Laid down20 July 1944
Launched23 December 1944
Commissioned1 May 1945
Decommissioned24 September 1994
Stricken24 September 1994
Fatescrapped, 2011
Badge
General characteristics
Tonnage1,441 tons
Displacement1,497 tons(lt), 2,048 tons(fl)
Length213 ft 6 in (65.07 m)
Beam39 ft (12 m)
Draught14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
Propulsiondiesel-electric, twin screws, 2,780hp
Speed15 knots
Complement120
Armamenttwo 40 mm guns

USS Bolster (ARS-38) was a Bolster-class rescue and salvage ship acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels.

Bolster was launched 23 December 1944 by Basalt Rock Company in Napa, California; sponsored by Mrs. C. A. Mayo, Jr., wife of Lieutenant Mayo, USNR; commissioned 1 May 1945, Lieutenant W. F. Lewis in command; and joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

End-of-World War II service

On 18 July 1945, after repair duty along the California coast, Bolster departed for Pearl Harbor. She remained there until 15 August when she sailed for Yokosuka, Japan. Bolster conducted repair and salvage operations in Japanese waters until leaving for Subic Bay, Luzon, 10 October 1946. She remained in the Philippines until April 1947 and then returned to Pearl Harbor via Okinawa, Guam, and Kwajalein.[citation needed]

Korean War operations

Bolster operated alternately out of Pearl Harbor and Adak, Alaska, on salvage and towing duties until 22 August 1950. She then towed two barges to Sasebo, Japan, and remained in the Far East until 6 July 1951. During this tour she participated in the Inchon landing (15 September 1950) and the Hungnam Evacuation (9–25 December 1950).[citation needed]

Since 1952 Bolster continued to operate out of Pearl Harbor and made six tours of the Far East, visiting Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Okinawa, and the Philippine Islands.[citation needed]

Vietnam service

Bolster operated in Vietnamese waters from 1966 to 1972 during the Vietnam War and was awarded 11 campaign stars. Members of Bolster's crew operated on land to extract USS Clark County (LST-601) from beach after grounding at Duc Pho from 18 November – 1 December 1967. Bolster received the Combat Action Ribbon for her service in Vietnam.

Note

The U.S. Navy (DANFS) advises that Bolster history updates for the years 1952 to 1994 are being developed.

Decommissioning

Bolster was decommissioned on 24 September 1994 and struck from the Navy list on the same day. She was disposed of by transfer to the Maritime Administration on 1 February 1999. There was a private effort to save the Bolster and turn it into a floating museum, however the effort was not successful.[1] On 12 April 2011, MARAD awarded a contract to Marine Metals of Brownsville, Tx to dismantle Bolster for $462,223.31.[2] Bolster departed the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet on 23 May 2011 for hull cleaning at BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair.[3] Bolster was towed to Brownsville upon completion of the cleaning and is currently undergoing scrapping.[4]

Military awards and honors

Bolster's crew was eligible for the following medals, ribbons, and commendations:

Bolster received seven battle stars for her Korean War service (9 September 1950 – 6 July 1951, 24 January – 16 August 1952, and 16 February – 15 April 1953);

  • North Korean Aggression
  • Communist China Aggression
  • First UN Counter Offensive
  • Communist China Spring Offensive
  • Second Korean Winter
  • Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952
  • Korea Summer-Fall 1953

Bolster received eleven campaign stars for Vietnam War service:

  • Vietnamese Counteroffensive
  • Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II
  • Tet Counteroffensive
  • Tet 69/Counteroffensive
  • Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969
  • Vietnam Winter-Summer 1970
  • Sanctuary Counteroffensive
  • Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII
  • Consolidation I
  • Consolidation II
  • Vietnam Ceasefire

See also

References

  1. ^ Courtney, Kevin (11 February 2008). "One man's journey to save Napa-made warship". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved 14 February 2008.
  2. ^ "Maritime Administration" (PDF).
  3. ^ "Maritime Administration" (PDF).
  4. ^ http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/i110531.pdf

Public Domain This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to USS Bolster (ARS-38).
  • Photo gallery of Bolster at NavSource Naval History
  • [1] Basalt Rock Company Shipbuilding History


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