USS Tolovana (AO-64)

USS Tolovana (AO-64) was indeed a Cimarron-class fleet oiler that played an essential role across multiple decades and conflicts. Here's a summary of her service and her post-commissioning history:

After commissioning in February 1945, Tolovana joined the Pacific Fleet as World War II was drawing to a close. She arrived in the theater late in the war, supplying fuel to the fleet at various locations in the Pacific. Her efforts during this critical phase earned her one battle star.

Tolovana continued her service into the post-war period, and when the Korean War broke out, she was once again called to action. She made numerous deployments to the Western Pacific to support the U.S. Navy's operations in Korean waters, earning two battle stars for her contributions.

Tolovana's service extended into the Vietnam War, where she conducted numerous deployments to the combat zone to refuel the fleet operating off the coast of Vietnam. Her diligent and faithful support of the fleet in this conflict earned her thirteen campaign stars and the Navy Unit Commendation, reflecting her significant contributions to the U.S. Navy's mission in Southeast Asia.

Tolovana's active service spanned several decades, reflecting the critical nature of her mission and her robust design. Finally, after years of service, she was decommissioned, but her exact decommissioning date and subsequent fate are not provided in the initial information. Fleet oilers like Tolovana were often struck from the Naval Vessel Register and sold for scrapping, given their long service lives and changing naval requirements.

USS Tolovana's extensive and varied service across three significant conflicts emphasizes the essential role of support and logistics in naval warfare. Her history illustrates the importance of fleet oilers in maintaining the operational readiness of combatant vessels, enabling sustained naval operations far from home ports. Ships like Tolovana may not garner the same attention as aircraft carriers or battleships, but their role in successful naval campaigns is no less vital. Her awards and commendations stand as a testament to the value of her contributions to the U.S. Navy and the nation.