USS Pinto ( AT - 90 ) USS " Pinto " ( AT - 90 ) was an constructed for the United States Navy during World War II . Her purpose was to aid ships , usually by towing , on the high seas or in combat or post - combat areas , plus " other duties as assigned . " She served in the Atlantic Ocean and , at war ’ s end , returned home proudly with three battle star s to her credit . " Pinto " was laid down by the Cramp Shipbuilding Co . , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , 10 August 1942 ; launched 5 January 1943 ; sponsored by Miss Lorna Cook ; and commissioned 1 April 1943 ; Lt . Ralph Brown in command . World War II Atlantic Ocean operations . Following shakedown , " Pinto " served in Service Squadron 1 , Service Force , Atlantic Fleet operating on the U . S . East Coast of the United States and at Argentia , Newfoundland until 15 December 1943 when she arrived Long Island Sound to conduct salvage and towing operations for the U . S . Army and Navy Proving Grounds , Davisville , Rhode Island . Normandy Invasion operations . On 26 March 1944 , " Pinto " was underway for the European theater of operations , arriving Falmouth , England on 19 April . She was redesignated ATF - 90 on 15 May . She arrived off the Normandy invasion coast on 6 June , where she and two other tugs comprised Combat Salvage Unit 122 . 3 . 1 which assisted and made emergency repairs to invasion landing craft while under enemy fire . On " D - Day " plus one ( 7 June 1944 ) , struck a mine , and was left burning and in a sinking condition . " Pinto " aided in removing 2 , 200 Army troops plus the Navy crew , for which she received the Navy Unit Commendation . " Pinto " remained on station as combat salvage vessel off " Omaha Beach " until 3 July when she returned to England . Invasion of Southern France operations . She arrived at Oran , Algeria , on 21 July , and joined the assault Force for " Operation Dragoon " . On 15 August she arrived off the coast of southern France with task unit TU 85 . 14 . 7 and conducted salvage operations under enemy fire until 28 August when she returned to Oran and then the United States . Transferred to the Pacific Fleet . On 10 November " Pinto " , with a floating drydock section in tow , got underway for Panama , whence she proceeded across the Pacific to Bora Bora , Society Islands to join the 7th Fleet . Until June 1945 " Pinto " engaged in towing and salvage operations off New Guinea , the Admiralties , the Philippines and Morotai . On 4 June , " Pinto " departed Morotai as part of task group TG 76 . 20 for the amphibious assault on Brunei Bay , British North Borneo . She remained as salvage tug on station in Victoria Harbor until 2 July when she returned to the Philippine Islands for towing assignments . During autumn " Pinto " conducted salvage and towing operations between Morotai , Balikpapan , Tarakan and Leyte Gulf . Then in December she got underway for the United States and inactivation . Decommissioning . On 11 July 1946 " Pinto " was decommissioned and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet , berthed at Orange , Texas . She was transferred , 1 May 1974 , cash sale , under the Security Assistance Program , to Peru , and renamed BAP " Guardian Rios " ( ARB - 123 ) . Is still in service . Awards . " Pinto " received the Navy Unit Commendation and also three battle stars for World War II service :