USS Hamlin ( AV - 15 ) USS " Hamlin " ( AV - 15 ) was a in the United States Navy . " Hamlin " was launched by Todd - Pacific Shipyards , Inc . , Tacoma , Washington on 11 January 1944 ; sponsored by Miss Constance Taffinder , daughter of Rear Admiral S . A . Taffinder ; and commissioned on 26 June 1944 , Captain G . A . McLean in command . Service history . " Hamlin " conducted shakedown drills off California until 16 August 1944 when she departed San Pedro for the Pacific . Arrived Pearl Harbor 24 August , the ship loaded aviation gasoline and supplies and got underway on 29 August for Eniwetok . She unloaded cargo and passengers there and continued to recently won Saipan , arriving on 11 September to take up her plane - tending duties . During this period , seaplane s tended by " Hamlin " were making important contributions to the Pacific fighting by engaging in reconnaissance , hunter - killer operations against submarine s , and air coverage of fleet cripples . She moved to Ulithi 11 October and back to Saipan anchorage on 29 December 1944 , all the time continuing her vital support of seaplane operations . " Hamlin ' s " aircraft protected the cruiser s and , damaged on 14 October off Luzon , and flew photographic missions and rescue flights as the Navy pressed home the ever - mounting attack on Japanese - held territory . The operation next on her schedule was Iwo Jima , necessary to safeguard lines of communication and provide a base from which fighter aircraft could protect B - 29 s in bombing missions over Japan . " Hamlin " proceeded 15 February to Guam for fuel oil and two days later departed for Iwo Jima . She arrived two days after this historic and bitterly contested landing had begun , and with two other tenders established a floating seaplane base from which search and rescue missions were performed . Debris and off - shore gunfire prevented the establishment of the seadrome until 24 February , and " Hamlin " worked under the handicap of large swells and congestion of the sea areas around Iwo Jima . The ship also experienced numerous air raids during this operation , but suffered no damage . She got underway for Saipan on 8 March 1945 , and after another voyage to Guam , she returned to prepare for the Okinawa operation and the largest seaplane tending job of the war . " Hamlin " sailed on 23 March from Saipan for Okinawa , the first step prior to the home islands in the long campaign across the Pacific . Her commander was designated Commander , Seaplane Base Group . The tenders arrived Kerama Retto , west of Okinawa , 28 March , the day after it had been secured and 4 days before the main landings on Okinawa . During the operation , " Hamlin ' s " planes provided long - range search , antisubmarine patrols , and air - sea rescue services , even providing aviation gasoline and luboil to battleships and cruisers . Her work was performed amid nearly constant air attack by Japanese suicide planes , and , though many ships in the anchorage were damaged by repeated attacks , " Hamlin " fought off all attacks without injury . The tender group shifted its base of operations to Chimu Wan , Okinawa , 11 July . After the surrender of Japan , " Hamlin " and other tenders got underway to assist in the occupation 16 August , anchoring in Yokosuka harbor 30 August . She began tending seaplanes on patrol over Japanese home waters on 2 September , and was anchored in the harbor when the historic surrender was signed on board " Missouri " . " Hamlin " returned to California following a short period in Japan and decommissioned at San Diego on 15 January 1947 . She went to reserve with the San Diego Group and remained there until September 1962 when she was transferred to the Maritime Administration , under Navy ownership , and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet , Suisun Bay , California . She was struck from the Navy List on 1 July 1963 . " Hamlin " received three battle stars for service in World War II .