USS Chemung (AO-30)

USS Chemung (AO-30), a Cimarron-class fleet replenishment oiler, served the United States Navy and was named for the Chemung River in New York State. It was the second ship to carry this name.

Chemung was launched on 9 September 1939 as Esso Annapolis by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation at Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard, Maryland, under a Maritime Commission contract and sponsored by Miss Howard. The ship was acquired by the Navy on 5 June 1941 and commissioned on 3 July 1941.

From 13 July 1941 until the U.S. entry into World War II, Chemung transported fuel oil between east coast ports and the oil ports of Texas and Louisiana. From late December 1941 to early January 1942, she issued fuel at NS Argentia, Newfoundland. After reloading at Norfolk, Virginia, she carried fuel to Hvalfjörður, Iceland, and operated between Norfolk and the Gulf of Mexico until mid-May 1942. Following another fuel station stint at Hvalfjörður, Chemung departed New York City with a convoy bound for the United Kingdom in August 1942.

During this journey, Chemung collided with Ingraham at night, resulting in the destroyer sinking almost immediately when its depth charges exploded. Heavily damaged, Chemung reached Boston, Massachusetts, for repairs on 26 August.

Starting 1 October 1942, Chemung loaded fuel in Beaumont, Texas, accompanied the North African assault force, and remained off the coast during the landings. From 15 February 1943 to 11 June 1945, Chemung alternated convoy voyages to the United Kingdom and North Africa with coast-wise and Caribbean cargo duty and station duty at Bermuda and the Azores.

Post-war, Chemung was assigned to occupation duty in the Far East and circumnavigated the globe. She cleared Norfolk on 18 July 1945, served at Okinawa, and returned via the Cape of Good Hope to Norfolk on 6 December. She operated with the US Atlantic Fleet and served the US 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean until 17 March 1950. Decommissioned on 3 July 1950 in San Diego, she was recommissioned on 1 December 1950.

Chemung steamed to the Far East in late January 1951 for a brief tour refueling forces in the Korean War. She supported United Nations troops in Korea, served on the Formosa Patrol, and transported oil from Ras Tanura, Arabia, to Guam. After sailing from San Pedro on 24 June 1952, she supported the US 7th Fleet off Korea until returning to Mare Island for overhaul on 24 February.

Between 1953 and 1960, Chemung supported the 7th Fleet in nine succeeding tours of duty in the Western Pacific. During her 1954–1955 tour, she fueled the ships evacuating the Tachen Islands and served as a station tanker at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, fueling ships of the Taiwan Patrol.

Chemung continued to serve through the 1960s, including supporting the Vietnam War, until her decommissioning on 18 September 1970. She was then transferred to the Maritime Administration and scrapped in May 1971.

Chemung's notable service earned her two battle stars for World War II service and four for her contributions during the Korean War, reflecting the vital role she played in multiple major military engagements and peacekeeping missions during her lengthy and distinguished career.