USS Merganser ( AMS - 26 ) USS " Merganser " ( AMS - 26 / AMCU - 47 / MHC - 47 ) was a built for the United States Navy during World War II . History . " Merganser " was laid down as " YMS - 417 " by Stadium Yacht Basin of Cleveland , Ohio on 9 January 1944 ; launched 29 June 1944 ; and commissioned 11 November 1944 . Assigned to the 1st Naval District after commissioning , " YMS - 417 " operated along the northern New England coast until 20 July 1945 . She then got underway for Pearl Harbor and duty with the Pacific Fleet . Arriving in Hawaiian waters in October , she was assigned to the Philippine Sea Frontier and continued her voyage , reporting to ComPhilSeaFron in January 1946 . The next month she was transferred to Minesweeping Squadron , Pacific Fleet . In January 1947 , the motor minesweeper commenced a 9 - month tour of minesweeping operations in the western Carolines , Marshalls , and Marianas , giving primary attention to the waters near Truk and Guam . During this period , on 17 February she was redesignated AMS - 26 and named " Merganser " . She was next attached to the Naval Operating Base , Marianas and operated from Guam for the next 3 years , conducting minesweeping exercises and ASW patrols , and providing target towing services . On 16 September 1950 " Merganser " departed Guam for Sasebo , Japan , to join the U . N . forces then fighting in and along the coast of Korea . Within 2 weeks she had joined TF 95 and was participating in action off Wonsan . On 1 October 1950 , " Merganser " assisted the 12 survivors of sister ship when the latter was sunk after hitting a cluster of three 1 , 000 - pound mines . " Merganser " took five of the most severely injured survivors to hospital ship of Pusan . She conducted minesweeping operations along the eastern , southern , and western coasts of Korea throughout the Korean War . After the was signed , she remained as a unit of the Escort and Blockading Patrol . Before leaving the area in mid 1954 , she served several tours as observer for Armistice violations off the west coast of Korea . " Merganser " departed Sasebo 21 August 1954 for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard , where she underwent conversion to AMCU - 47 , commencing 1 October . Upon completion of conversion , she was assigned to the Harbor Defense Unit , Port Townsend , Washington , where she remained until April 1955 . With the designation MHC - 47 effective 7 February 1955 , " Merganser " conducted underwater sound tests at Carr Inlet Acoustics Range in Washington for the first 2 weeks in April and then got underway for duty with the 11th Naval District at San Diego , California . There , until February 1958 , she provided target towing and sonar training services , conducted harbor defense exercises , and performed search and rescue missions . On 2 February 1958 she was attached to the San Diego Group , Pacific Reserve Fleet , and began inactivation overhaul . Two months later , 2 April 1958 , after more than 13 years of service , she decommissioned and was berthed at San Diego . She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 May 1959 and on 5 May 1960 was sold to Hilburg and Turpin of Los Angeles , California . " Merganser " received nine battle star s for Korean War service .