USS Marias (AO-57)

• Namesake: USS Marias (AO-57) was named after the Marias River in Montana, following the Navy tradition of naming oilers after rivers in the United States. • Class: She was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler, designed to refuel warships at sea and extend the operational range of naval fleets during World War II and beyond. • Launched in 1943: USS Marias was launched on 21 December 1943 by Bethlehem Steel Company in Sparrows Point, Maryland, and commissioned on 12 March 1944. • World War II Service: Marias played a vital role in the Pacific Theater, providing crucial fuel supplies to the U.S. Third and Fifth Fleets during major operations, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. • Kamikaze Encounter: During refueling operations near Okinawa in 1945, Marias and nearby vessels faced frequent kamikaze attacks, highlighting the dangers faced even by support ships. • Post-War Operations: After World War II, Marias continued to serve through the Korean War and the Vietnam War, reflecting her versatility and the Navy's ongoing need for mobile logistics. • Operation Crossroads: In 1946, Marias participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, supplying fuel and support to the assembled fleet. • Cold War Service: Throughout the Cold War, Marias operated with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, helping support U.S. naval presence and NATO operations. • Decommissioning: After nearly three decades of service, USS Marias was decommissioned on 15 December 1973 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register. • Awards: Over her career, USS Marias earned eight battle stars for World War II service and additional campaign ribbons for her service in Korea and Vietnam, marking her as one of the most decorated oilers in U.S. Navy history.