USS Yakutat ( AVP - 32 ) USS " Yakutat " ( AVP - 32 ) was a United States Navy " Barnegat " - class small seaplane tender in commission from 1944 to 1946 . " Yakutat " tended seaplanes in combat areas in the Pacific during World War II . Construction , commissioning , and shakedown . " Yakutat " ( AVP - 32 ) was laid down on 1 April 1942 at Seattle , Washington , by Associated Shipbuilders , Inc . . She was launched on 2 July 1942 , sponsored by Mrs . Peter Barber , a mother who had lost three sons when the battleship ( BB - 37 ) was sunk on 7 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor , Hawaii , and was commissioned on 31 March 1944 with Commander George K . Fraser in command . After her shakedown in the San Diego , area , " Yakutat " got underway on 25 May 1942 and arrived at San Pedro , California , late on 26 May 1944 . Following post - shakedown availability in the West Coast Shipbuilders ' yard at San Pedro , she departed for Pearl Harbor , Hawaii , on 17 June 1944 . World War II Pacific Theater operations . " Yakutat " reached Ford Island at Pearl Harbor on 24 June 1944 . Underway again at 07 : 00 hours on 28 June 1944 , she headed for the Marshall Islands as an escort for escort aircraft carrier . Arriving at Kwajalein on 6 July 1944 , she shifted to Eniwetok within a week , where she embarked officers and enlisted men of a patrol service unit and took on board a cargo of 5 - inch ( 127 mm ) illuminating ammunition . She departed for Saipan on 14 July 1944 . Setting up base in Tanapag Harbor . Reaching recently secured Tanapag Harbor on 17 July 1944 , " Yakutat " began setting up a seaplane base there and immediately commenced servicing seaplanes , providing subsistence and quarters for the aviators and aircrews attached to those aircraft . She provided the aircraft with gasoline and lubricating oil via bowser fueling boats and commenced servicing planes by the over - the - stern method as well . " Yakutat " remained at Tanapag Harbor for the rest of July , all of August , and into September 1944 . After shifting to the Garapan anchorage , Saipan , on 8 September 1944 , she transferred all plane personnel to seaplane tender and sailed for the Palau Islands on 12 September 1944 . In company with seaplane tenders , , , and , " Yakutat " reached Kossol Passage on 16 September 1944 , the day after the initial American landings on Pelelieu . Setting up a new base near Pelelieu . Proceeding to the seaplane operation area via a " comparatively well - marked channel " and " while sweeping operations went on continuously " nearby , " Yakutat " soon commenced laying out a seaplane anchorage . The following day , " Yakutat " serviced the first plane of Patrol Bomber Squadron 216 ( VPB - 216 ) , furnishing aviation fuel and boat service . Harassed by enemy bombs . With nine Martin PBM Mariner flying boat s operational , VPB - 216 was based on " Yakutat " , conducting long - range patrols and antisubmarine sweeps daily . During that time , " Yakutat " also served as secondary fighter director unit and experienced air alerts on six occasions . Japanese planes remained in the vicinity for varying lengths of time and occasionally dropped bombs in the lagoon area . " Yakutat " serviced the VPB - 216 planes into early November 1944 . On 9 November 1944 , she got underway for Ulithi Atoll and arrived there on 10 November 1944 . " Yakutat " tended planes there from 13 November 1944 to 26 November 1944 before she underwent a drydocking for a routine bottom cleaning and hull repairs . She then sailed for Guam on 29 November 1944 . Saipan operations . Reaching Apra Harbor , Guam , on 30 November 1944 , " Yakutat " loaded spare parts for Martin PBM Mariner flying boats before she got underway on 2 December 1944 to return to Saipan . She arrived later the same day , completed the discharge of her cargo on 4 December 1944 and , on 5 December 1944 , took on board 13 officers and 30 enlisted men of VPB - 216 for temporary subsistence . " Yakutat " tended planes of Patrol Bomber Squadron 16 ( VPB - 16 ) and Patrol Bomber Squadron 17 ( VPB - 17 ) at Saipan through mid - January 1945 . She departed Tanapag Harbor on the morning of 17 January 1945 , steamed independently for Guam , and reached her destination later that day . However , she remained there only a short time , for she departed on 19 January 1945 for the Palau Islands and reached Kossol Roads on 21 January 1945 . " Yakutat " discharged cargo there and fueled seaplanes until 6 February 1945 , when she sailed in company with seaplane tender , escorted by patrol craft USS " PC - 1130 " , bound for the Caroline Islands . Anchoring at Ulithi Atoll on 7 February 1945 , " Yakutat " tended seaplanes there for most of February 1945 . Highlighting her brief stay there was her going to the vicinity of a crashed Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplane on 10 February 1945 . After salvaging equipment from the plane , " Yakutat " sank the plane with gunfire and returned to her anchorage in the seaplane operating area . On 25 February 1944 , " Yakutat " sailed for the Marianas in company with " St . George " and reached Garapan harbor on 27 February 1945 . She tended seaplanes there for a little less than a month before departing for Okinawa on 23 March 1945 to take part in Operation Iceberg , the conquest of the Ryūkyū Islands . Supporting Operation Iceberg . " Yakutat " tended the PBM Mariners of Patrol Bomber Squadron 27 ( VPB - 27 ) for the rest of World War II . She established seadrome operations at Kerama Retto on 28 March 1945 and spent the rest of the important Okinawa campaign in seaplane tending duties . The presence of Japanese aircraft in the vicinity on numerous occasions meant many hours spent at general quarters stations , lookout s ' eyes and radar alert for any sign of approaching enemy planes . " Yakutat " provided quarters and subsistence for the crews of the Mariners and furnished the planes with gasoline , lubricating oil , and jet - assisted take - off ( JATO ) units . The Mariners conducted antisubmarine and air - sea rescue ( " Dumbo " ) duties locally , as well as offensive patrols that ranged as far as the coast of Korea . Rescuing plane crash survivors . Although " Yakutat " received a dispatch on 21 June 1945 to the effect that all " organized resistance on Okinawa has ceased , " her routine remained busy . On 28 June 1945 , for example , a Consolidated PB2Y Coronado flying boat crashed on take - off and sank approximately 500 yards ( 457 m ) off the starboard beam of the ship . " Yakutat " dispatched two boats to the scene and rescued eight men , while boats from another ship rescued the remaining three survivors from the Coronado . All eleven men were brought on board " Yakutat " , where they were examined and returned to their squadron , Patrol Bomber Squadron 13 ( VPB - 13 ) . Avoiding typhoons . On 15 July 1945 , " Yakutat " sailed for Chimu Bay , Okinawa — in company with seaplane tenders , " Chandeleur " , " Onslow " , , and — but returned to port due to a typhoon in the vicinity . However , she got underway again on 16 July 1945 and reached Chimu Bay the same day . She remained there , tending seaplanes , largely anchored but occasionally moving to open water to be free to maneuver when typhoons swirled by . On one occasion , while returning to Chimu Bay after a typhoon evacuation , " Yakutat " made sonar contact on a suspected submarine on 3 August 1945 . She made one attack , dropping depth charge s from her stern - mounted depth - charge tracks , but lost the contact soon thereafter . The end of the war . " Yakutat " was at Chimu Bay when Japan capitulated and hostilities ended on 15 August 1945 , bringing World War II to a close . With the officers and enlisted men of the crew assembled aft , " Yakutat " s commanding officer , Lieutenant Commander W . I . Darnell , led his crew in offering thanks to God " for being kept afloat to see the final day of this war . " Awards and honors . " Yakutat " earned four battle star s for her World War II service . The Ys unofficial newsletter . BIOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE MIGHTY “ Y ” This brief bit of bull is being piled mainly to provide something for the returning serviceman which is not included in the G . I . Bill of Rights . We are attempting , in fact , to go that hunk of legislation one better and give those who served so faithfully on the mighty “ Y ” proof of their lies in black and white . In order to preclude the necessity for further boredom , and as a reminder of some interesting ( though not always funny ) things which happened , let us take a look at where we ’ ve been to date – - 18 October 1945 . This vessel was placed in commission at the outfitting dock of Associated Shipbuilders in Seattle , Washington on a typical Seattle day , 31 March 1944 . After proceeding on acceptance runs , testing our gasoline system , loading ammunition , missing liberties , running the measured mile , missing liberties , loading torpedoes , missing liberties , firing the guns , and missing liberties , we finally bid Puget Sound a fond adieu on 21 April 1944 and set a course for the Golden Gate . Many of us vividly recall that first night on the blue Pacific . That the first of many nights that the boys - in - blue were destined to spend manning the rail , or feeding the fish , as you prefer . Arriving in Alameda on 24 April , we proceeded to load our aviation stores and miss a couple of more liberties before making tracks , however wobbly , for San Diego , and the nearest rail . Upon arrival in San Diego on the 29th , they hit us between the horns with an inspection less than and hour after our arrival . In true YAKUTAT fashion , we fooled ‘ em . Our pants were up . We kicked around Diego for some five weeks , undergoing extensive maneuvers and training , called “ Shakedown ” , and a very appropriate name it is . This shakedown was quite an experience . We missed some more liberties and piddled around with various exercises . However , we still think that about the toughest exercise of the bunch was that quaint custom of getting underway every Sunday morning at 0600 . On Thursday , 25 May 1944 , COTCPAC , who was the boss , held our final military inspection and pronounced us ready to become the scourge of the Imperial Japanese Army , Navy and Air Corps . Today we also got our first look at the ceremonies of presentation of an award when Ensign A . C . Bingham was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism at Bougainville , Capt . Frederick Moosebruggor , Chief of Staff for COTCPAC presented the award . Later in the day , we headed for San Pedro , some repairs , a little leave and recreation ( darned little ! ) arriving at about 1800 the same day . It might well be said that during our stay in San Pedro , the Mighty “ Y ” came into her own as a fighting ship with a fighting crew . Between fights we got a paint job , a bottom job , and a boiler job . Once more we reluctantly moved on . The sad parting from the dear old United States took place at approximately 1600 on Saturday , 17 June 1944 , amid tumultuous roar of weeping , wailing , and gnashing of teeth – mostly aboard ship . After six days of smooth sailing , we made our first port of call , Pearl Harbor . Here we were welcomed by Com AirPac ’ s band , which produced several enjoyable musical selections . We should have known there was a catch to it , but remember , we were now a fighting ship . The catch to this welcome is still very vivid in our minds , I believe , as it has thus far covered some 10 , 000 miles and 16 months of our young lives . We kicked around the Hawaiian Islands for four days , pulling out and escorting the “ jeep ” carrier MAKIN ISLAND from Pearl Harbor to Majuro Atoll in the newly conquered Marshall Islands . One day hero and on to Kwajalein , also in the Marshalls , and also with the MAKIN ISLAND right on our heels . Company was parted with the MAKIN ISLAND at Kwajalein and we proceeded independently to Eniwetok , still in the Marshalls , where we got our first glance at what Sherman meant when he said “ War is Hell . ” We praised the Lord and passed all the ammunition that the TENNESSEE and CALIFORNIA could throw at us all night that night of 12 - 13 - July , and then when the sun came up on the morning of the 13th , and all of us thought we had finished , we were slightly surprised to learn that we still had to provision ship . Chow aboard , we set the special sea detail and headed for Saipan , almost getting a battleship ( American , USS Alabama ) to our credit , without firing a shot . Saipan hove into sight on 17 July , and we were treated to somewhat nauseous spectacle of several corpses floating in the water for many miles to sea . Upon anchoring , we were assigned the job of clearing up what had been the Imperial Japanese Seaplane base until a few days previously , and making same ready for our own use . They ( Japs and Americans ) were still fighting in the bushes , but the “ Y ” was not to be stopped . We dood it . While here , we also got our first taste of tending a squadron , VPB - 18 by name , and all of us have no trouble recollecting those hectic days . On 12 September , we moved from our anchorage in Saipan and joined the POCOMOKE , CHANDELEUR , ONSLOW , and MACKINAC to form the Seaplaine Group which was to participate in the job of “ taking over ” the Palau Islands . We arrived on the afternoon of D plus l or 16 September , and after successfully eluding several hundred mines , finally came to rest at Kossol Roads and set up shop . This time our squadron was VPB - 216 . There is still much haggling aboard as to wether our job at Kossol Roads or our later exploits at Okinawa can rightly claim the title , ( our most choice duty ) . Our staunch little craft was not to be left to die at Palau , though we were beginning to wonder . As a result of someone ’ s sympathetic streak getting the better of them , we took off for Ulithi in the Western Carolines , arriving there 10 November — minus a squadron ! There was also a catch to this , for on 24 November , we went into a float - in drydock , the U . S . S . ARD - 15 . Amen Departing from Ulithi on 29 November , we arrived at Apra Harbor , Guam , on the afternoon of the 30th , just in time to have our Thanksgiving turkey that night . We left there on 2 December , arriving at Saipan at 1700 the same afternoon . The latter we found quite well settled down and civilized since our first visit . We enjoyed several recreation parties on Saipan this time . It was here that the YAKUTAT ’ S “ ” Bobby ” Duke , RM1c became king of the light weight boxers on the island by disposing of some rather rugged dogfaces and leathernecks in the course of a tournament . The nights , however , had a tendency to become just a little bit long . This can be pinned directly on the fact that our little yellow friends were at the time in the process of trying to destroy everything that would fly — and a lot that wouldn ’ t . They themselves were running down from Iwo Jima to take a couple of pot shots at the newly arrived B - 29 ’ s , but we can safely say that many of them never saw the Land of the Rising Sun again . Christmas Day of 1944 was spent there , and Christmas night of 1944 at general quarters . Remember ? Came the dawn of 17 January 1945 , and the YAKUTAT was en route to Palau again , with a short stop at Guam . We dropped the anchor , chain and all at Kossol on 21 January . This time we put the seadrome out of commission , and returned to Ulithi , arriving on 7 February . Mog Mog again until the 25th when we returned to Saipan , which we thought was our home port by this time . Such was not to be our good fortune as we soon learned . On 23 March , we left Saipan for the last time to date . In company with the CHANDELEUR , HAMLIN , ST . GEORGE , ONSLOW , SHELIKOF , and BERING STRAIT , we set a rather wobbly zig - zag course for a group of islands known as Kerama Retto , in the Ryukyus . Here we went into Seaplane tending and General Quarters business on a wholesale basis . This time we had a squadron VPB - 27 based aboard , and except for a few minor inconveniences such as suicide planes , typhoons , rain , blackouts , no sleep and a few others : all was strictly peace and quiet , even though three days after our arrival , some 20 miles away at an island named Okinawa Shima the fighting Navy proceeded to cover the Dogfaces and Leathernecks in their landing on same Shima . Results were most horrifying – - for the Japanese . We pulled up the mud hook at Kerama on 15 July , and moved to Chimu Wan , same Shima , dropped hook and took up where we left off at Kerama . At about this time , the full realization of just what they were after with the music back at Pearl Harbor hit us squarely between eyes . On 20 September , we left our beloved Shima and joined some of the boys from the other side of the tracks — the TENNESSEE , CALIFORNIA , SANTEE , and a couple herds of tincans for a two day trip to the destination that would not be denied — JAPAN . We arrived in the Empire on 22 September 1945 , and took up our duties at Wakayama in connection with occupation . Came 12 October , we again dragged up the hook and took off for the once formidable Jap Naval Arsenal of Kure , to service courier flights . Arriving at Kure on the 13th , many of us got our first look at Jap Naval Units . Our seadrome was set up in the area surrounding the remnants of the Japanese battleship HYUGA , which was easily seen by all hands to be resting on the bottom , a tribute to American guns and gunners . Many other units from carriers on down are here , dispersed in the many coves and in various states of disrepair , thanks to the “ airdales ” of Task Force 58 . At this writing , here we sit while scuttlebutt about our return home , or rather the lack of it flies thick and fast . In spite of all the hot air that is to be found in huge quantities throughout the ship , we are still sitting here at Hiro Wan , near Kure , on Honshu , Japan — waiting to go somewhere also — you guess where . PART II This section will be a tabulation of some facts about the ship ( maybe ) what ’ s happened , and in some cases , why . All figures are up to 18 October 1945 . Air Rapids Palau 3 Saipan 32 Kerama Retto 334 Chimu Wan 25 The surrender cut our air raids . Sub Attacks Ulithi 1 ( enough ) Typhoons Palau 1 Saipan 1 Okinawa 3 ( one of which may be classed as dilly ) Japan 2 ( standby – more to follow ) BATTLE INJURIES Three of the YAKUTAT ’ S personnel have earned Purple Hearts while aboard . They were presented to W , C . Hanson , SClc ; H . Kaplan , Slc : Kerama Retto . None of the crew has died , although one man brought aboard from the Seaplane Base at Saipan later died aboard . Personnel Situation As a shining ray of light for those of you who are looking for dear old Stateside , the following is furnished . Personnel received 92 Personnel transferred 154 Awards Those who have been with us thus far , and are still kicking , may display the following “ Commando ” ribbons upon your return to the land of dress blues and white women : a ) World War II Victory Medal b ) American Campaign Medal c ) Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal , with three bronze stars , one for the occupation of Saipan , one for the invasion and occupation of Palau . , and one for the invasion and occupation of Okinawa . No , you do not rate a Proximity Medal or a Typhoon Medal . However , in all probability , you will be entitled to the Japanese Occupation Medal if and when it is authorized . There is no definite information on this Occupation Medal , but it is safe to assume that a clasp will not be authorized for the battle of the Ship ’ s Store , wherein forty crewmen and six officers were trampled trying to buy cigarettes and soap for bartering purposes . PART III This is the section that we promised you right from the start , the dope in black and white to back up your lies upon your return home . For instance , ( this is for the benefit of whoever doubts you ) the following did happen during the cruise of the “ Y ” , subscribed and sworn before me this date : 1 . The “ Y ” sent a landing force ashore at Saipan armed with . 30 cal . rifles and . 45 ammunition . 2 . Fifty extra cops were ordered from Los Angeles to quell the riot during our stay in San Pedro . 3 . Ragan , CMB , and then our Chief Master - at - Arms , held reveille on our only corpse . 4 . . Joe Costa , Slc , wouldn ’ t work on the barge at Kerma until someone , preferably Joe Costa , had disposed of a nearby Jap . 5 . When someone told our First Lieutenant , Lt . ( jg ) Davis , to “ House the anchor , ” the reply was , “ Fine , how ’ s yours ? ” 6 . While swimming at Kwajalein , “ Slim Wright , BMlc did assault “ Barracuda ” Hanson , SC1c with an empty Coke jug , thus giving Hanson his quaint nickname . 7 . Upon receiving orders to “ Let go the starboard anchor , ” when anchoring at Palau , Lt ( jg ) Howard did let go the anchor and 125 fathoms of chain , all the way . 8 . “ Jack ” Scott , Cox , and Proto , our Irish S1c , in riding the gunwales of a Jap dugout in an effort to keep from getting wet — did upset same dugout and their plans for keeping dry . This was the last of the “ Sad Saki ” . 9 . The bottom of this vessel was sandpapered while in drydock at Ulithi . 10 . Ens . Arlie Bingham , our Chief Engineer , did mount the stack and play “ Home , Sweet Home ” on the various whistles and sirens while entering the channel at Ulithi . 11 . “ Bill ” Hofius , Slc & Captain ’ s Orderly de 1uxe , did hit the “ Old Man ” for a dime to buy ice cream . 12 . Graves , S1c in the Gunner ’ s gang had a great time wetting Capt . Fraser ’ s fishing line that night , didn ’ t he ? 13 . The time the typhoon hit Okinawa and two PBM ’ s broke loose and kamikazed the “ Y ” — after the war was over – - should bring back some memories . 14 . “ Ace ” Siddens , S1c , skipper of our # 4 rearming boat still doesn ’ t mind going out in a storm if they ’ ll give him a boat that runs . 15 . Remember that Sunday morning in Kerama when our church party saw the light , took the pledge and became hard , fast Christians through the medium of only one Kamikaze hit on the St . George ’ s fantail during divine services ? 16 . Then Machinist “ Pappy ” Sims reconstructed a Jap suicide boat on the fantail and got it ready for launching , only to have the concussion of gun 53 ” blow it sky high during GQ . 17 . Just in case you ’ re doubting the returning veteran , there was a dog at Keramo which swam back to the ship four times in one day , after having been deposited on the beach . 18 . Famous last words : “ Don ’ t drop the load until you have permission from the Officer of the Dock . ” - - - “ Come alongside and take the worm in tow . ” 19 . That short guy with the spray gun in the shipyard in San Pedro . I wonder how many guys he painted trying to hit the ship ? 20 . “ Fatboy ” Steele , AMMH1c , is still trying to find out the password at Zamami Jima . 21 . “ Pappy ” Patrick , S1c , will vouch for the way the “ Black Widows ” took care of us at Saipan . 22 . Our pooch mascot , “ Rusty ” wouldn ’ t move in the morning until she had a shot of jamoko with the boys — with cream and sugar . 23 . “ John L . Sullivan ” Houpt , TM2c , came back from a big liberty in Pearl Harbor and decided to teach the boys discipline — one at a time . 24 . “ Barney ” Blough , SSML2c , really did have to use a life preserver to get out of the laundry one day . 25 . “ Bill ” Booth , QM2c , does have a cousin on every ship in the Pacific Fleet , especially the HOPE . 26 . MAKE SMOKE ! ! In spite of the many eccentric happenings tabulated above , and what may appear to the layman to be the perfect example of how not to run a naval vessel , the YAKUTAT has done an excellent job out here . At least we dare anyone from any other AVP to change our minds on that score . While not classified strictly as a combatant vessel , but rather as one of the long line of fleet auxiliaries , the action of our ship and crew during those dark days and long nights at Saipan , Palau , and Okinawa proved to many higher ups just what one of those small units can produce when the chips are down . The actions of our Aircraft Maintenance Unit has been highly praised by all who have come in contact with the results of their labors . Our boat crews have rescued some 50 persons from the briny deep since our arrival in the Forward Area 16 months ago . In this connection , the work of such stalwarts with the boats “ Rugged ” Bermudoz , S1c : “ Chicken ” Knight , S1c “ Mike ” Motel , S1c : “ Slim ” Wright , Bmlc ; “ Noodles ” Fisher BM2c , and Lt ( jg ) “ Willie ” Marshall cannot be too highly praised . In addition , we have delivered some 2 , 500 , 000 gallons of aviation gasoline to such assorted craft as PBM ’ s PBY ’ s , Torpedo Boats , LCT ’ s and AVP ’ s to mention a few . Our prime achievement in the deliver of gasoline was the feat of pumping 2300 gallons into a thirsty PBM of VPB - 27 in nine minutes flat . These are only a few of our accomplishments since joining the Fifth Fleet at Saipan in July 1944 . Our highly successful experiments and performances cannot be traced to any man , men , division or department due to a combination of efforts on the part of all . It is our sincere hope that this little speel will keep you from forgetting all of us in the years to come . We have tried to compile all this dope in a manner which we hope will ruin a page of your scrapbook for a long time to come . It will also be very handy for lighting a cigarette or two . All of us can look back on our cruise aboard the YAKUTAT with the memory of at least one good liberty , or some funny happening , I am sure . It is the wish of the writer that from time to time , in time to come , one or more of these good liberties or funny happenings will be refreshed in your memory and found good for another laugh , or at least a partial smirk . Post - World War II U . S . Navy service . Although V - J Day meant that offensive operations against the Japanese ceased , it only meant the beginning of the long occupation of Japan and its possessions . " Yakutat " remained at Chimu Bay for the rest of August and for most of September 1945 , before she departed for Japanese home waters on 20 September 1945 , escorting " St . George " . En route , the two seaplane tenders caught up with Vice Admiral Jesse B . Oldendorf ' s Task Unit 56 . 4 . 3 , formed around the battleship s and , and became units of Task Force 56 , and later , when redesignated , as Task Force 51 . Tending seaplanes in Japanese waters . " Yakutat " reached Wakanoura Wan , Honshū , on 22 September 1945 , finding seaplane tender already there and operating as a tender for seaplanes . " Yakutat " underwent a brief availability alongside destroyer tender before she commenced her seaplane tending operations at Wakanoura Wan . She operated as a tender for seaplanes using that port until 12 October 1945 , when she shifted to Hiro Wan , where she performed seaplane tender operations and seadrome control duties for a little over a month . Underway on 14 November 1945 , " Yakutat " arrived at Sasebo , Japan , on 15 November 1945 , stayed there until 19 November 1945 . Return to the United States . On 19 November 1945 , " Yakutat " departed Sasebo for the United States with 58 officers and 141 enlisted men embarked as passengers . After stopping at Midway Atoll for fuel on 27 November 1945 , she continued on , bound for the Pacific Northwest . Reaching Port Townsend , Washington , on 6 December 1945 , " Yakutat " transferred all her passengers to landing craft infantry USS " LCI - 957 " for further transportation , then shifted to Sinclair Inlet , Washington , where she offloaded all bomb s and ammunition before reporting on 7 December 1945 to the Bremerton Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Bremerton , Washington . " Yakutat " subsequently shifted south to the naval air station at Alameda , California , where she was decommissioned on 29 July 1946 . U . S . Coast Guard service . " Yakutat " was loaned to the United States Coast Guard on 31 August 1948 , and was commissioned as the cutter USCGC " Yakutat " ( WAVP - 380 ) . Redesignated WHEC - 380 and permanently transferred to the Coast Guard in 1966 , " Yakutat " spent her long Coast Guard career on weather - reporting , law - enforcement , and search - and - rescue duties while on patrol in ocean stations in the North Atlantic . She also served two tours of duty ( in 1967 – 1968 and in 1970 ) in the Vietnam War . Foreign service . South Vietnamese service . " Yakutat " was transferred to South Vietnam at the beginning of 1971 , becoming the Republic of Vietnam Navy patrol vessel RVNS " Tran Nhat Duat " ( HQ - 03 ) . When South Vietnam collapsed at the end of the Vietnam War in April 1975 , " Tran Nhat Duat " fled to Subic Bay in the Philippines . Acquisition for spare parts by the Philippines . Taken over by the Philippines , she was formally transferred to the Philippine Navy on 5 April 1976 or 6 April 1976 . She was cannibalized for spare parts and probably scrapped ca . 1982 without ever entering Philippine Navy service .