USS Rainier (AE-5)

• Namesake: USS Rainier (AE-5) was named after Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in the state of Washington, following the tradition of naming ammunition ships after volcanoes. • Class: She was a Lassen-class ammunition ship, designed to carry and supply ammunition to combat ships at sea. • WWII Service: USS Rainier played a crucial role in World War II, supplying ammunition to the Pacific Fleet during major operations, including the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. • Commissioning: Rainier was commissioned on December 21, 1941, just two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, making her part of the rapid naval expansion following the outbreak of war. • Kamikaze Threats: During operations near Okinawa, Rainier operated under constant threat from Japanese kamikaze attacks, emphasizing the dangerous nature of her mission while carrying volatile cargo. • Post-War Service: After World War II, Rainier was decommissioned but reactivated for service during the Korean War and again for the Vietnam War, reflecting her enduring value to the fleet. • Vietnam War: In Vietnam, she supplied ammunition to ships engaged in shore bombardment and air operations, supporting the intense combat operations in Southeast Asia. • Record-Setting Replenishments: Rainier set records for the number of underway replenishments completed, often servicing multiple ships simultaneously while at sea. • Final Decommissioning: USS Rainier was finally decommissioned in 1970 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1976, ending nearly three decades of intermittent service. • Legacy: The ship and her crews were awarded multiple battle stars for their service in three major wars, and her legacy continued with the commissioning of a new ammunition ship, USS Rainier (AE-177), in 1967.