USS ''Ptarmigan'' (AM-376) was an acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. She was the only U.S. Navy ship named for the ptarmigan, a grouse with feathered feet, found in northern regions. ''Ptarmigan'' was laid down 9 March 1944 by

Savannah Machine and Foundry A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland- grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground ...

Co.,

Savannah A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the Canopy (forest), canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to rea ...

, Georgia; launched 15 July 1944, sponsored by Miss Jeanne Summerlin; and commissioned 15 January 1945.

Service history

World War II

''Ptarmigan'' departed for the Pacific Ocean 1 May 1945. Following duty off Hawaii and

Saipan Saipan ( ch, Sa’ipan, cal, Seipél, formerly in es, Saipán, and in ja, 彩帆島, Saipan-tō) is the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands, a Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), commonwealth of the United States in the western Pa ...

, she operated out of Sasebo,

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

, clearing mines off

Honshū , historically called , is the largest and most populous island of Japan. It is located south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyūshū across the Kanmon Straits. The island separa ...

from late September to late October. Departing Sasebo in February 1946, she arrived San Pedro, California, in March. Decommissioned 3 June 1946, she entered the

Pacific Reserve Fleet The United States Navy maintains a number of its ships as part of a reserve fleet, often called the "Mothball Fleet". While the details of the maintenance activity have changed several times, the basics are constant: keep the ships afloat and ...

Korean war

''Ptarmigan'' recommissioned 28 October 1950. She arrived in

in June 1951. During the Korean War, she destroyed mines in Hungnam Bay, and near Chonjin and Chaho. With she patrolled the Korean coast along

Hŭngnam Hŭngnam is a district of Hamhung, the second largest city in North Korea. It is a port city on the eastern coast on the Sea of Japan. It is only from the slightly inland city of Hamhung. In 2005 it became a ward of Hamhung. History The port a ...

, Chaho,

Songjin Kimch'aek (), formerly Sŏngjin (Chosŏn'gŭl: 성진, Hancha: 城津), is a city in North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. It was an open port in 1899. It has a population of 207,699. Etymology The city received its current name in 1951 during ...

, and Wonsan to prevent enemy sampans from laying mines. Leaving Sasebo in May 1952 and arriving Long Beach, California, in June, she received new guns and radar. Departing Long Beach May 1953 and returning to Sasebo in June, she operated off Hungnam, Inchon, Pusan, and Choto Island, before returning to Long Beach in December.

Post-war operations

Sailing from Long Beach in July 1954 to join the 7th Fleet, she patrolled the Korean coast, and in February 1955 assisted in the evacuation of the

Tachen The Dachen Islands, Tachen Islands or Tachens () are a group of islands off the coast of Taizhou, Zhejiang, China, in the East China Sea. They are administered by the Jiaojiang District of Taizhou. Before the First Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1955, ...

Islands during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis. Reclassified MSF-376 on 7 February, she returned to Long Beach in March for duty off California and Mexico. In latter 1956, as part of the 7th Fleet, she participated in training maneuvers out of

Keelung Keelung () or Jilong () (; Hokkien POJ: '), officially known as Keelung City, is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. The city is a part of the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with its neighbors, New Taipe ...

, Taiwan. Decommissioned 17 May 1957 at Astoria, Oregon she entered the

. Struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 July 1963, she was transferred under the

Military Assistance Program The Mutual Defense Assistance Act was a United States Act of Congress signed by President Harry S. Truman on 6 October 1949. For US Foreign policy, it was the first U.S. military foreign aid legislation of the Cold War era, and initially to Euro ...

to the Republic of Korea on 25 July, to serve as ''Shin Song'' (PCE-1001).

Awards

''Ptarmigan'' received one battle star for World War II service, and four stars for Korean service.

References

External links

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USS ''Ptarmigan'' (AM 376)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ptarmigan (AM-376) Auk-class minesweepers of the United States Navy Ships built in Savannah, Georgia 1944 ships World War II minesweepers of the United States Korean War minesweepers of the United States