USS Chemung (AO-30)

• Fleet Oiler Commission: USS Chemung (AO-30) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler, commissioned by the US Navy on 3 June 1941, just months before the United States entered World War II. • Namesake: The ship was named after the Chemung River in New York, continuing the Navy tradition of naming oilers after American rivers. • World War II Service: Chemung served extensively in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II, supplying vital fuel to warships and supporting major operations. • Surviving a Torpedo Attack: In November 1942, while operating off North Africa in support of Operation Torch, Chemung survived an attack from a German submarine, evading torpedoes and continuing her mission. • Operation Overlord Support: Chemung played a supporting role in the D-Day landings by refueling ships involved in the Normandy invasion in June 1944. • Postwar Activity: After World War II, Chemung remained active, serving in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean, and participated in the Berlin Airlift support operations. • Korean War Service: Chemung was recommissioned for the Korean War, supplying fuel to the US Navy’s 7th Fleet and United Nations forces during combat operations. • Collision Incident: On 30 November 1949, Chemung collided with the destroyer USS Charles P. Cecil (DD-835) off the coast of New Jersey. Both ships sustained damage, but there were no fatalities. • Decommissioning and Fate: Chemung was decommissioned on 30 September 1970, after nearly 30 years of service, and was later sold for scrap in 1976. • Battle Stars and Honors: During her service, Chemung earned eight battle stars for World War II and two for the Korean War, reflecting her vital logistical contributions to major conflicts.