USS Clamp ( ARS - 33 ) USS " Clamp " ( ARS - 33 ) was an acquired by the U . S . Navy during World War II . Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels . " Clamp " was launched 24 October 1942 by Basalt Rock Company in Napa , California , under a Maritime Commission contract ; and commissioned 23 August 1943 , Lieutenant L . H . Curtis in command . World War II service . " Clamp " sailed from San Pedro , California , 30 September 1943 and after a brief period at Pearl Harbor , arrived at Funafuti , Ellice Islands , 8 November . From this base she conducted combat salvage operations supporting the Gilbert Islands invasion . Under constant attack . On 10 November " Clamp " had a busy day as she came under air attack five different times . The enemy was driven off and " Clamp " sustained no damage . She conducted salvage operations on , and assisted off Betio Point , 2 December . Departing Funafuti 12 January 1944 for Midway Island , she conducted salvage operations on from 24 January to 17 February , then returned to Pearl Harbor for overhaul . Capturing Japanese prisoners . " Clamp " began working in the Marshalls on salvage and cargo duty in April 1944 . She investigated sunken Japanese vessels for salvage value off Saipan in July , capturing 10 prisoners during this work . She also salvaged aground off Tinian , in August , returning to Pearl Harbor for overhaul in November . Iwo Jima and Okinawa operations . " Clamp " arrived at Iwo Jima 19 February 1945 and until 2 March was engaged in salvage work during the invasion and capture of that island . Sailing to Leyte via Saipan , Guam , and Ulithi , she joined the salvage and repair group which cleared 21 March for the invasion of Okinawa . Based at Kerama Retto from 26 March to 15 May , " Clamp " gave emergency aid to , a kamikaze victim , from 31 March to 5 April . She steamed to Ie Shima 12 May to inspect damage to two destroyers . Support nuclear testing operations . " Clamp " was overhauled on the west coast until 5 November 1945 when she sailed for Pearl Harbor . She remained there until 6 March 1946 , put out for Bikini Atoll where she had towing , diving , and demolition duties in connection with Operation Crossroads . She returned to Pearl Harbor 16 September , and to San Francisco , California , 22 October . Post - war decommissioning . " Clamp " was placed out of commission in reserve at San Pedro , California , 6 May 1947 . " Clamp " was struck from the Naval Vessel Register , 1 July 1973 and her title transfer to MARAD , 1 February 1999 . On 12 April 2011 , a contract was issued by MARAD to Marine Metals of Brownsville , Tx to dismantle " Clamp " for $ 462 , 223 . 31 . " Clamp " departed the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet on 23 May 2011 to be cleaned at BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair . " Clamp " was towed to Brownsville upon completion of the cleaning and is currently undergoing scrapping . Military awards and honors . " Clamp " received four battle star s for World War II service . Her crew was eligible for the following medals and ribbons : Current status . , " Clamp " is laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay , Benicia , California . " Clamp " was mentioned in a newspaper article published on 11 February 2008 concerning the status of sister ship .