USS Napa ( AT - 32 ) USS " Napa " ( AT - 32 ) , originally " Yucca " , was a of the United States Navy . The ship was laid down as " Napa " on 5 March 1919 , at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard , Washington ; launched on 24 July 1919 ; and commissioned on 5 December 1919 , Lt . W . R . Giddens in command . Service history . 1919 – 1929 . Following shakedown and an abbreviated tour on the West Coast , the ocean going tug sailed to Guam where she served as a station ship from June 1919 until the spring of 1929 . She then steamed to the Philippines , where she decommissioned on 7 June 1929 , and joined the Inactive Fleet , berthed at Olongapo . World War II , 1939 – 1942 . Ordered reactivated as war in Asia loomed closer , " Napa " recommissioned at Cavite on 15 August 1939 , joined the Asiatic Fleet and for the next two years performed the services demanded of her type . In late 1941 , when the possibility of war became a probability for the near future , the under - shipped and undermanned fleet assigned to defend and support the Philippines began to improve its defenses . " Napa " , under the command of Lieutenant Minter Dial ( USNA , 1932 ) , was assigned to net laying and maintenance activities in Mariveles and Manila Bays . Without previous training or experience and without the proper equipment , the crew of 40 men ( down from the 60 men the ship was originally designed to hold in active duty ) , including 8 Filipinos , on the " Napa " , aided by 16th Naval District service craft , and , at times , by various available minesweepers , gunboats , and Army craft , improvised with what they had . Between 8 October and 8 December they worked to install anti - torpedo nets across the entrance to Mariveles Bay . Continuing on after losing what little remained of their equipment during the Japanese air raid on Cavite on 10 December , they kept up the work , completing 95 % of the job by 14 December when they were ordered to cease operations . On 17 and 18 December , they moved two unsunk sections of the net to Manila , and then , on 19 December , reported for duty under Commander , Inshore Patrol , 16th Naval District . From that time until 9 April 1942 , " Napa " , operating from Mariveles , performed various duties which included net tending , salvage , towing and patrol assignments in the Bataan Manila Bay area . Having re - equipped the gun deck with a 50 - caliber Lewis machine gun mounted between the two 3 - inch guns , the " Napa " was intermittently involved in direct enemy combat and , according to Chief Petty Office William " Gunner " Wells ( Retired Commander ) , had ten confirmed kills and four probables to its credit . " Napa " was responsible for laying down 13 , 000 mines during its activity in the Philippines . The " Napa " was the very last US ship in Cavite Bay to pick up fuel and , as a result , was the very last ship to be operational . It had no reported casualties from Japanese air attacks . Dial would later be awarded the Navy Cross for these activities . On 18 March 1942 Ensign Perroneau B . Wingo was put in charge of the " Napa " , while Lt . Dial was appointed Secretary to Captain Kenneth Hoeffel , the senior naval officer present on Corregidor . Destruction , April 1942 . On 8 April the decision was made to evacuate Bataan . At about 0130 on 8 April , the sinking of " Napa " was ordered . Most of the crew , with provisions , personal belongings and small arms , were transported via small boats to Corregidor Island . " Napa " was then towed 500 yards out from the beach . The skeleton crew opened the magazine flood valves and made three openings through the hull in the fire and engine room . At 0500 " Napa " was abandoned . The CO , Ensign P . B . Wingo , and the remaining crew members proceeded to Corregidor . From that island they watched their ship remain afloat throughout the day and then , after nightfall , sink into the bay . Ensign Peronneau Wingo was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions between 18 March 1942 and 9 April 1942 . The crew of the " Napa " then joined the crews of other similarly fated ships . Taking up small arms , they were incorporated into the 4th Marine Regiment , in which they helped man the beach defenses until Corregidor fell on 6 May 1942 . Some died on Corregidor and others died in Japanese captivity , including P . B . Wingo , and former captain Minter Dial . " Napa " was awarded one battle star for her service in World War II .