MSO Valdez

• Origins: MSO Valdez (MSO-473) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper of the United States Navy, named after Valdez, Alaska. • Commissioning: The ship was laid down on 15 November 1952, launched on 25 June 1954, and commissioned on 21 September 1955. • Wooden Hull: Like other Aggressive-class minesweepers, Valdez was constructed with a wooden hull to reduce magnetic signature and avoid detonating magnetic mines. • Cold War Service: The ship served during the tense years of the Cold War, playing a crucial role in ensuring safe naval passage by clearing mines. • Homeport: MSO Valdez was homeported in Long Beach, California, for much of her career, participating in multiple Pacific operations and exercises. • Far East Deployments: The ship deployed several times to the Western Pacific, supporting U.S. and allied naval operations and participating in joint exercises with navies such as Japan and South Korea. • Vietnam War: During the Vietnam War, Valdez was involved in mine-clearing operations and coastal patrols, supporting operations like Market Time to stop the flow of supplies to North Vietnamese forces. • Humanitarian Role: The crew of the Valdez assisted in rescue and humanitarian missions, including helping small craft in distress during deployments. • Technology: The ship was equipped with advanced (for the era) mine-detecting and sweeping equipment, including sonar, mechanical sweep gear, and acoustic/magnetic sweep systems. • Decommissioning and Fate: MSO Valdez was decommissioned in December 1976 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1977. She was eventually sold for scrap, ending her over two decades of service.