USS Requisite: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Minesweeper of the United States Navy}}

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{{more citations needed|date=June 2019}}

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{|{{Infobox ship begin}}

!align ="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|Career

{{Infobox ship image

!align ="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|[[image:US Naval Jack.svg|48px|USN Jack]]

|Ship image=USS Requesite (AGS 18).jpg

|-

|Ship caption=

|Laid down:

}}

|12 November 1941

{{Infobox ship career

|-

|Hide header=

|Launched:

|Ship country=United States

|25 July 1942

|Ship flag={{USN flag|1964}}

|-

|Ship name=USS ''Requisite''

|Commissioned:

|Ship namesake=

|7 June 1943

|Ship ordered=

|-

|Ship builder=[[Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Company]], [[Seattle, Washington]]

| Battle Stars:

|Ship laid down= 12 November 1941

|8

|Ship launched= 25 July 1942

|-

|Ship acquired=

|Reclassified:

|Ship commissioned= 7 June 1943

|[[AGS-18]] on 18 August 1951

|Ship decommissioned= 23 December 1947

|-

}}

|Decommissioned:

{{Infobox ship career

|1 April 1964

|Hide header=yes

|-

|Ship recommissioned= 15 February 1950

|Fate:

|Ship decommissioned= 1 April 1964

|Not indicated

|Ship in service=

|-

|Ship out of service=

|Struck:

|Ship struck= 1 April 1964

|Ship renamed=

|-

|Ship reclassified= AGS-18, 18 August 1951

!colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy no-repeat scroll top left;"|General Characteristics

|Ship homeport=

|-

|Ship motto=

| Class:

|Ship nickname=

|Auk (metal-hulled fleet minesweeper)

|Ship honours=8 [[battle star]]s (World War II)

|-

|Ship fate= Sold for scrapping, March 1965

|Displacement:

|Ship notes=

|890 tons

}}

|-

{{Infobox ship characteristics

|Length:

|Hide header=

|221 ft 3 in (67 m)

|Header caption=

|-

|Ship class= {{sclass|Auk|minesweeper}}

|Beam:

|Ship displacement={{convert|890|LT|t|0|abbr=on}}

|32 (10 m)

|Ship length={{convert|221|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}}

|-

|Ship beam={{convert|32|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|Draft:

|Ship draft={{convert|10|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}

|10 ft 9 in (3 m)

|Ship depth=

|-

|Ship hold depth=

|Speed:

|Ship propulsion=

|18 knots (33 km/h)

|Ship speed={{convert|18|kn|lk=in}}

|-

|Ship range=

|Complement:

|Ship complement=100 officers and enlisted

|100

|Ship armament=*1 × [[3"/50 caliber gun]]

|-

*2 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm]] guns

|Armament:

*2 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm]] guns

|1 3”, 2 40mm., 2 depth charge tracks, 5 depth charge projectors

*2 × [[Depth charge]] tracks

|-

*5 × depth charge projectors

|Ship armor=

|Ship notes=

}}

|}

'''USS ''Requisite'' (AM-109)''' was an {{sclass|Auk|minesweeper}} acquired by the [[United States Navy]] for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

'''USS Requisite (AM-109)''' was laid down 12 November 1941 by the [[Winslow Marine Railway &and Shipbuilding Co., Inc.Company]], [[Seattle, Washington]]; launched 25 July 1942; and commissioned 7 June 1943, Lt. Robert W. Graham, [[USNR]], in command.

== World War II Pacific operations ==

Following [[shakedown cruise|shakedown]] off southern [[California]], ''Requisite'' proceeded to [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]. Thence on 1 August, she escorted a [[convoy]] to [[Honolulu]]. Attached to [[Service Squadron]] 6, she trained in [[Hawaii]]an waters into October. On the 25th, she cleared [[Pearl Harbor]] and headed for the [[New Hebrides]] to prepare for her first amphibious operation, the invasion of [[Tarawa]] [[Atoll]], in the [[Gilbert Islands|Gilberts]].

Departing [[Efate]] on 13 November, she took up her position as listening vessel at the lagoon entrance off [[Betio]] early on the morning of the 20th. While pre-invasion bombardment was in progress, she and {{USS|Pursuit|AM-108|3}} swept a channel from the transport area into the lagoon. Just prior to the landings, she took up duties as assistant control and survey ship and began marking the channel and searching out possible anchorages in the [[lagoon]]. On the 21st, she returned to the transport area and resumed screening duties.

== World War II Pacific Operations ==

As Tarawa was being secured, ''Requisite'' shifted to [[Abemama]] and assisted in the offloading of equipment and supplies for the garrison group. She then remained in the area until 12 December when she got underway for Pearl Harbor.

Following shakedown off southern [[California]], '''USS Requisite''' proceeded to [[San Francisco]]. Thence on 1 August, she escorted a [[convoy]] to [[Honolulu]]. Attached to Service Squadron 6, she trained in Hawaiian waters into October. On the 25th, she cleared [[Pearl Harbor]] and headed for the [[New Hebrides]] to prepare for her first amphibious operation, the invasion of [[Tarawa]] Atoll, in the [[Gilberts]].

Departing [[Efate]] on 13 November, she took up her position as listening vessel at the lagoon entrance off [[Betio]] early on the morning of the 20th. While preinvasion bombardment was in progress, she and [[USS Pursuit (AM-108)]] swept a channel from the transport area into the lagoon. Just prior to the landings, she took up duties as assistant control and survey ship and began marking the channel and searching out possible [[anchorages]] in the [[lagoon]]. On the 21st, she returned to the transport area and resumed screening duties.

As [[Tarawa]] was being secured, '''USS Requisite''' shifted to [[Abemama]] and assisted in the offloading of equipment and supplies for the garrison group. She then remained in the area until 12 December when she got underway for [[Pearl Harbor]].

== Operating with Task Force 52 ==

On 22 January 1944, she sortied with [[Task Force]] TF 52 for the invasion of the [[Marshall Islands|Marshalls]]. In the [[antisubmarine]] screen of the Southern Attack Force, en route, she arrived off [[Kwajalein]] Atoll on the 31st. She continued her antisubmarine activities until 3 February, then began sweeping operations off Kwajalein and other islands in the southern part of the [[atoll]]. On the 6th, she planted navigational aids, and on the 15th, sortied with [[Task Group]] TG 51.11 for the [[Eniwetok]] assault.

Two days later, she entered Eniwetok lagoon between Japtan and Parry Islands. Sweeping and survey duties followed. On the 24th, she returned to Kwajalein and, through March escorted reconnaissance parties in [[Landing Ship, Tank|LST]]s and [[Landing Craft Infantry|LCI]]s to [[Wotho Atoll|Wotho]], [[Ujae Atoll|Ujae]], [[Lae Atoll|Lae]], [[Ailinglaplap Atoll|Ailinglapalap]], [[Namdrik Atoll|Namorik]] and other minor atolls and islands of the Marshalls.

On 22 January 1944, she sortied with [[Task Force]] TF 52 for the invasion of the [[Marshalls]]. In the [[antisubmarine]] screen of the Southern Attack Force, en route, she arrived off [[Kwajalein]] Atoll on the 31st. She continued her [[antisubmarine]] activities until 3 February, then began sweeping operations off [[Kwajalein]] and other islands in the southern part of the atoll. On the 6th, she planted navigational aids, and on the 15th, sortied with [[Task Group]] TG 51.11 for the Eniwetok assault.

On 10 April, she departed those islands and headed east with an LST convoy. On the 24th, she escorted her charges into Pearl Harbor and 2 days later continued on to San Francisco and overhaul.

Two days later, she entered [[Eniwetok]] lagoon between [[Japtan]] and [[Parry Islands]]. Sweeping and survey duties followed. On the 24th, she returned to [[Kwajalein]] and, through March escorted reconnaissance parties in [[LST]]s and [[LCI]]s to [[Wotho]], [[Ujae]], [[Lae]], [[Ailinglapalap]], [[Namorik]] and other minor atolls and islands of the [[Marshalls]].

On 16 July she returned to Hawaii. An escort run to Eniwetok and inter-island escort duty in Hawaii took her into September. Then, on the 23rd, she headed west for her next invasion target, the [[Philippines]].

On 10 April, she departed those islands and headed east with an [[LST]] convoy. On the 24th, she escorted her charges into [[Pearl Harbor]] and 2 days later continued on to [[San Francisco]] and overhaul.

On 16 July she returned to [[Hawaii]]. An escort run to [[Eniwetok]] and interisland escort duty in [[Hawaii]] took her into September. Then, on the 23d, she headed west for her next invasion target, the [[Philippines]].

== Operations with the Seventh Fleet ==

Moving across the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] via Eniwetok, she joined the [[United States Seventh Fleet|7th Fleet]] at [[Manus Island|Manus]] on 10 October, and seven days later she commenced sweeping the approaches to [[Leyte Gulf]]. She continued her sweeping operations until the 24th, when she anchored in [[San Pedro Bay (Philippines)|San Pedro Bay]]. Three days later, she began a five-day search for survivors of the battles for Leyte Gulf.

Moving across the [[Pacific]] via [[Eniwetok]], she joined the [[7th Fleet]] at [[Manus]] on 10 October, and 7 days later she commenced sweeping the approaches to [[Leyte Gulf]]. She continued her sweeping operations until the 24th, when she anchored in [[San Pedro Bay]]. Three days later, she began a 5-day search for survivors of the battles for [[Leyte Gulf]].

During November she swept in waters near [[HomomhonHomonhon]] [sic; Homonhon], [[Suluan Island|Suluan]], [[Calicoan Island|Calicoan]], and [[Dinagat, Dinagat Islands|Dinagat]]. In early December, she and [[USS ''Pursuit]]'' swept the [[Canigao]] Channel]], West Passage, to provide a second access to the [[Camotes Sea]]. On the 6th, 7th, and 8th, '''USS Requisite''' participated in the [[Battle of Ormoc Bay|Ormoc Bay]] assault]], then returned to the east coast of [[Leyte]].

On 2 January 1945, '''USS Requisite''' moved north with [[Task Group]] TG 77.6. The next day she entered the [[Sulu Sea]]. She passed [[Manila Bay]] on 5 January, and, on the 6th, she began sweeping operations in [[Lingayen Gulf]] which continued until the 14th. She then replenished at [[Leyte]], and returned to [[Luzon]] on 29 January for preinvasionpre-invasion sweeps off [[San Felipe, Zambales|San Felipe]] in [[Zambales]] Province. On the 31st, she anchored in [[Subic Bay]].

In February, '''USS Requisite''' with others of [[Mine Division]] 3, moved east to [[Guam]], whence she continued to [[Ulithi]]. In mid-March she sortied with Mine Group 1 of the [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] invasion force.

== Okinawa Operationsoperations ==

Arriving in the [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryūkyūs]] on the 24th, ''Requisite'' swept the approaches to [[Kerama Retto]] the same day. On the 25th, she extended operations to [[Keise Shima]]. The 26th saw her off southern Okinawa. From the 27th through the 29th, she operated off the [[Hagushi]] beaches and on the 30th and 31st she swept off the [[Motobu Peninsula]] and [[Ie Shima]]. She then retired to Kerama Retto.

''Requisite'' remained in the Okinawa area, employed in screening and sweeping operations until 16 April. A month's respite in the [[Mariana Islands|Marianas]] followed; but by the end of May she was back in the Ryūkyūs. Through June, she continued patrol and sweeping duties off Okinawa. In July she began sweeping in the [[East China Sea]] in anticipation of an invasion of the Japanese home islands. Then, in August, she departed for an availability at Leyte. There when hostilities ceased, she returned to Okinawa at the end of the month and in September resumed sweeping operations, this time to clear Japanese waters for the arrival of occupation forces and the resumption of peacetime maritime traffic. Off [[Shikoku]] during early September, she shifted to [[Honshū]] at midmonth and during October operated in the [[Ise Wan]] area. On in November, she added the responsibility of communications and operational headquarter, CTG 52.8, to her duties and on 17 December she headed back to the [[United States]].

Arriving in the [[Ryukyus]] on the 24th, '''USS Requisite''' swept the approaches to [[Kerama Retto]] the same day. On the 25th, she extended operations to[[ Keise Shima]]. The 26th saw her off southern [[Okinawa]]. From the 27th through the 29th, she operated off the [[Hagushi]] beaches and on the 30th and 31st she swept off the [[Motobu]] [[Peninsula]] and [[Ie Shima]]. She then retired to [[Kerama Retto]].

== Post-War operations ==

'''USS Requisite''' remained in the [[Okinawa]] area, employed in screening and sweeping operations until 16 April. A month's respite in the [[Marianas]] followed; but by the end of May she was back in the [[Ryukyus]]. Through June, she continued patrol and sweeping duties off [[Okinawa]]. In July she began sweeping in the [[East China Sea]] in anticipation of an invasion of the Japanese home islands. Then, in August, she departed for an availability at [[Leyte]]. There when hostilities ceased, she returned to [[Okinawa]] at the end of the month and in September resumed sweeping operations, this time to clear Japanese waters for the arrival of occupation forces and the resumption of peacetime maritime traffic. Off [[Shikoku]] during early September, she shifted to [[Honshu]] at midmonth and during October operated in the [[Ise Wan]] area. On in November, she added the responsibility of communications and operational headquarter, CTG 52.8, to her duties and on 17 December she headed back to the [[United States]].

The ship arrived at [[San Diego, California|San Diego]] on 17 January 1946. The following month, she continued on to the [[U.S. East Coast]] arriving at [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]] on 21 February. For the next year and a half she operated with the [[United States Fleet Forces Command|Atlantic Fleet]] towing targets for training groups. Then ordered inactivated, she proceeded to [[Orange, Texas]], where she decommissioned and joined the Reserve Fleet on 23 December 1947.

== Post-War Operations as a survey ship ==

Recommissioned 15 February 1950, ''Requisite'' was assigned to [[hydrographic survey]] duties. She reported to the Atlantic Fleet for duty on 1 March and for the next three years she spent the winter survey season operating in the [[Caribbean]] and the warmer months off [[Labrador]] and [[Greenland]]. Reclassified AGS-18 on 18 August 1951, she discontinued her North [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]-Caribbean schedule in the fall of 1954. On 6 October she got underway from Norfolk; and, from 1 November 1954 to 2 February 1955, she conducted surveys from [[İskenderun]], [[Turkey]]. Returned to Norfolk. They went west through the Panama Canal to San Diego, then to Seattle. 1955

The ship arrived at [[San Diego]] 17 January 1946. The following month, she continued on to the east coast arriving at [[Norfolk]] on 21 February. For the next year and a half she operated with the [[Atlantic Fleet]] towing targets for training groups. Then ordered inactivated, she proceeded to [[Orange, Texas]], where she decommissioned and joined the Reserve Fleet 23 December 1947.

''Requisite'' shifted to the northern Pacific. She arrived at her new homeport, Seattle, June 1955-Captain Robert F. Hopkins, in late June and before the end of the month had commenced [[Arctic]] operations. Arrived Nome Alaska July 3 rd and some of the crew marched in the 4 th of July Parade in Nome. By mid-September she had surveyed routes from [[Herschel Island]] to [[Shepherd Bay]], taking continuous soundings and compiling [[bathythermograph]] information and gathering core samplings every 20 miles. She continued her operations from Seattle until July 1958. Then homeported at San Francisco, California, she remained in the Pacific, ranging from the Arctic to [[Polynesia]], to [[Central America]] until the spring of 1959.

== Operations as a Survey Ship ==

Recommissioned 15 February 1950, '''USS Requisite''' was assigned to hydrographic survey duties. She reported to the [[Atlantic Fleet]] for duty on 1 March and for the next 3 years she spent the winter survey season operating in the [[Caribbean]] and the warmer months off [[Labrador]] and [[Greenland]]. Reclassified [[AGS-18]] on 18 August 1951, she discontinued her [[North Atlantic]]-[[Caribbean]] schedule in the fall of 1954. On 6 October she got underway from [[Norfolk]]; and, from 1 November 1954 to 2 February 1955, she conducted surveys from [[Iskenderun]] [sic; Iskenderum], [[Turkey]].

On 1 May 1959, she got underway for [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]. Arriving on the 23rd, she resumed operations with [[ServRon]] 8, Atlantic Fleet and during the summer operated in the Caribbean. In November, she sailed east for her first survey season in the [[Persian Gulf]]. During the 1960–61 season she returned to the Persian Gulf, but remained in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and off [[New England]] during the 1961–62 season. On 1 July 1962, she sailed for [[Iceland]] and a return to survey operations of Greenland, completing that mission in November. In January 1963, she sailed to the [[West Indies]], operated there through the summer, and returned to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in early November.

The following year, '''USS Requisite''' shifted to the northern [[Pacific]]. She arrived at her new homeport, [[Seattle]], in late June and before the end of the month had commenced [[Arctic]] operations. By mid-September she had surveyed routes from [[Herschel Island]] to [[Sheperd Bay]], taking continuous soundings and compiling [[bathythermograph]] information and gathering core samplings every 20 miles. She continued her operations from [[Seattle]] until July 1958. Then homeported at [[San Francisco]], she remained in the [[Pacific]], ranging from the [[Arctic]] to [[Polynesia]], to [[Central America]] until the spring of 1959.

On 1 May 1959, she got underway for [[Philadelphia]]. Arriving on the 23d, she resumed operations with ServRon 8, [[Atlantic Fleet]] and during the summer operated in the [[Caribbean]]. In November, she sailed east for her first survey season in the [[Persian Gulf]]. During the 1960-61 season she returned to the [[Persian Gulf]], but remained in the Atlantic, the [[Caribbean]], and off [[New England]] during the 1961-62 season. On 1 July 1962, she sailed for [[Iceland]] and a return to survey operations of [[Greenland]], completing that mission in November. In January 1963, she sailed to the [[West Indies]], operated there through the summer, and returned to [[Philadelphia]] in early November.

== Decommissioning ==

Ordered inactivated she reported to the Philadelphia Group, [[Atlantic Reserve Fleet]], on 23 December. She was decommissioned and struck from the [[Navy list]] on 1 April 1964.

Ordered inactivated she reported to the Philadelphia Group, [[Atlantic Reserve Fleet]], on 23 December. She was decommissioned and struck from the [[Navy list]] 1 April 1964.

== Awards ==

*[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with eight [[battle stars]]

*[[World War II Victory Medal]]

'''USS Requisite''' earned eight [[battle stars]] during [[World War II]].

*[[Navy Occupation Medal]]

*[[National Defense Service Medal]] with star

== References ==

{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r5/requisite.htm}}

== External links ==

{{DANFS}}

* {{navsource|11/02109|USS Requisite (AM-109/AGS-18)}}

* [http://www.historycentral.com/navy/Minelayer/requisite.html USS ''Requisite'']

== See Also ==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040222110557/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-r/am109.htm USS ''Requisite'' (AM-109, later AGS-18), 1943-1965]

* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AM/AM-109_Requisite.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-109 USS ''Requisite'']

* [[List of United States Navy ships]]

* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5223.html USS ''Requisite'' (AM 109)]

* [[Auk class minesweeper]]

* [[World War II]]

* [[Minesweeper]]

* [[Minesweeping]]

{{Auk class minesweeper}}

== External Links ==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Requisite (AM-109)}}

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]

[[Category:Auk-class minesweepers of the United States Navy]]

[[Category:Survey ships of the United States Navy]]

[[Category:Ships built in Seattle]]

[[Category:1942 ships]]

[[Category:World War II minesweepers of the United States]]