USS Cormorant ( AM - 40 ) USS " Cormorant " ( AM - 40 ) 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 . " Cormorant " was launched 5 February 1919 by Todd Shipbuilding Corp . , New York City ; sponsored by Miss M . E . Vellaire ; and commissioned 15 May 1919 , Lieutenant J . B . McKean in command . North Sea mine clearance . Based on Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands , " Cormorant " joined in the dangerous and exacting task of clearing the North Sea minefields between 22 August 1919 and 1 October . On towing duty , she called at Devonport , Brest , Lisbon , Ponta del Gada , Azores , and Bermuda before returning to Staten Island 19 November 1919 for the Fleet Review in the North River . U . S . East Coast operations . For the next year and a half , she operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean , joining in maneuvers and military simulation s , as she towed targets , acted as tender , and carried mail for the Fleet . Between 23 September 1920 and 27 December 1920 , she was in ordinary without a crew at Portsmouth , New Hampshire , for repairs , returning then to full commission . On 5 February 1921 " Cormorant " arrived at Washington , D . C . , for experimental work under the Bureau of Ordnance . For the next six years she operated almost exclusively in the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay testing mine weapons and devices , on occasion going to Newport , Rhode Island , on this duty . Early in 1927 she served for a period of two months as station ship in the Virgin Islands , but experimental mine work continued to be her primary duty . In 1928 she again served in the Virgin Islands for two months , and in 1932 , was at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , for a month to tow targets . Several times in 1933 she steamed to Pensacola , Florida , in connection with experimental mineplanting and sweeping . Similar duty continued through 9 December 1942 . On 1 June 1942 she was reclassified " AT - 133 " . World War II Atlantic Theatre operations . Between 18 January and 19 May 1943 , " Cormorant " gave tug services at Guantanamo Bay to destroyers in training there , and after calling at Charleston , South Carolina , for repairs in June , sailed north to Reykjavík , Iceland , for salvage duty until 13 October . On 7 December she arrived at Falmouth , England , which was to be her base during the months of training and preparation for " Operation Overlord " , the invasion of Normandy . As masses of men and shipping accumulated in English ports , " Cormorant " gave the essential tug , towing , and salvage services that amphibious operations demand . Supporting Operation Overlord . Reclassified " ATO - 133 " on 15 May 1944 , she put to sea from Portsmouth , England , 7 June 1944 for the newly invaded Normandy coast , and served as towing and salvage ship there , expediting the landing of the great number of men and supplies to support forces ashore , until 23 July . " Cormorant " towed small craft and barges between Southampton , England , and France until 28 September , then had a brief overhaul at Plymouth , England , returning to Falmouth , England , for salvage and towing duty until 12 November . Pacific Theatre assignment . " Cormorant " operated between Plymouth , England , and Antwerp on towing duty until 16 January 1945 , and returned to New York in convoy 28 February . After overhaul at Norfolk , Virginia , she cleared for the Pacific theater , arriving at San Pedro , California , 24 June . On towing duty , she proceeded to Guam where she served as torpedo recovery ship between 6 September and 12 December . Post - War decommissioning . Returning to San Pedro , California , 24 January , " Cormorant " was decommissioned 29 March 1946 , and sold on 8 January 1947 . Awards . " Cormorant " received one battle star for World War II service .