USS Yancey AKA-93 (1944-1977)
The USS Yancey was commissioned on October 11, 1944, under Commander Edward R. Rice. In November she sailed to Pearl Harbor, where she was assigned to TransDiv 47, TransRon 16. She remained in Pearl Harbor until January 27, 1945.
Service in World War II and Korea
The Yancey was sent to the Marianas as part of TG 51.12 to support the invasion of Iwo Jima. On February 19, she arrived off the coast of Iwo Jima for the initial D-day landings, where she remained in nearly constant battle for four days. During the days that followed, the Yancey suffered minor damage from enemy fire and a small collision with the USS Pensacola.
On March 25, the Yancey sailed toward Okinawa with TG 51.3 as the mobile reserve. After anchoring near the Hagushi beaches, she fell under enemy air raids. She claimed a sure assist kill on a Nakajima Ki-43 Oscar fighter during this time. After this, she rejoined TransDiv 47, TransRon 16 for amphibious training exercises in preparation of Japanese invasion. After receiving word of Japan’s surrender, the Yancey headed for Tokyo Bay as part of TF 33.
In September, the Yancey sailed for Japan’s Inland Sea, where she reported to CinCPac for reassignment on October 9. She carried the 471st Regiment, 62nd Chinese Army to Takao, Formosa and was ordered back to America, where she remained on the eastern seaboard until November 1946. From then until February 13, 1947, the Yancey served with TF 68 in Operation Highjump. She joined TU 68.1.2 and towed attack cargo ship Merrick back to the US. Her term with TF 68 ended May 15th.
Over the next 10 years, the Yancey supported UN actions in Korea including the first counteroffensives in 1951 and the final activity before the armistice in 1953. She was decommissioned in March 1958.
After the War
On November 17, 1961, the Yancey was recommissioned under Captain Gordon R. Keating. She was assigned to PhibRon 12 and participated in several amphibious exercises, including Operation Phiblex. In late 1962, Yancey was stationed in the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Afterward, she participated in several joint exercises with NATO. In April 1965, the Yancey supported Operation Power Pack in the Dominican Republic. Shortly after her last run to the Dominican Republic, she returned to Norfolk to resume training exercises.
On January 1, 1969 she was redesignated LKA-93. The USS Yancey was decommissioned on January 20, 1971, though her name was not struck from the Naval register until 1977. She was sunk as an artificial reef in 1990 off the coast of Morehead City, North Carolina.
Asbestos in Navy Ships
Although an essential component of the naval fleet, some auxiliary vessels also posed a lasting health risk to soldiers serving on them. Unfortunately, products containing asbestos were common, especially on older ships, because of the material’s high resistance to heat and fire. Despite its value as an insulator, asbestos fiber intake can lead to several serious health consequences, including mesothelioma, a devastating cancer without cure. Current and former military personnel who came into contact with these ships should seek immediate medical attention in order to detect possible health consequences associated with asbestos exposure.
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