USS Kaweah (AO-15)

The USS Kaweah (AO-15) served as the lead ship of her class of fleet replenishment oilers in the United States Navy, playing a vital role in naval logistics.

Launched in 1919 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, Kaweah was acquired by the Navy in October 1921 and commissioned later that year. She underwent sea trials and embarked on a cruise to the Canal Zone and the Gulf of Mexico before being decommissioned in August 1922.

Kaweah was recommissioned in December 1940, under the command of Commander Charles B. McVay III. Throughout 1941, she made oil runs between East Coast ports and the Caribbean. By November, she arrived in Newfoundland and began operating in the North Atlantic for the next 14 months, delivering gasoline and diesel oil between Iceland, Greenland, and Boston.

In January 1943, Kaweah embarked on a mission to deliver diesel oil to Casablanca, making two round-trip cruises before resuming fueling operations in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Throughout 1943, she continued her convoy duties, supplying fleet units with essential fuel between New England and Iceland.

Kaweah spent the remainder of World War II cruising along the North American coast, Greenland, and the Caribbean, delivering aviation fuel and diesel oil. She remained almost constantly at sea, fulfilling the crucial duty of keeping the fleet supplied with petroleum products.

Following the end of hostilities in August 1945, Kaweah arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia, in September, and was decommissioned at Norfolk in November. The ship was transferred to the WSA in May 1946 and sold for scrapping to Boston Metals Co., Baltimore.

The USS Kaweah's service history illustrates the indispensable role of oilers in naval warfare, providing constant and uninterrupted supply lines for fuel, and contributing significantly to the naval efforts during World War II.