USS Pocomoke ( AV - 9 ) USS " Pocomoke " ( AV - 9 ) was a , originally built as the and acquired by the U . S . Navy as the military build - up occurred in the United States just prior to World War II . She operated principally in the Pacific Theatre of the war and serviced military seaplanes . At war ’ s end , she returned to the United States with two battle stars . She was built on 14 August 1939 by Ingalls Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company , Pascagoula , Mississippi , for the Maritime Commission ; launched 8 June 1940 ; sponsored by Mrs . Max O . Truitt ; acquired by the Navy 16 October 1940 ; and following conversion commissioned 18 July 1941 , Comdr . L . T . Hundt in command . Initial Atlantic Ocean operations . When the United States entered World War II in December 1941 , " Pocomoke " was attached to Task Group 4 . 3 of the Support Force , Atlantic Fleet , stationed at Argentia , Newfoundland . She tended two patrol planes which scouted waters approaching the harbor searching for German U - boats which threatened convoys carrying desperately needed war material to England . On 9 January 1942 she departed Argentia en route to Norfolk , Virginia , where she entered the yard for alterations . Following training and exercises she departed Boston , Massachusetts , 21 May for Argentia to act as flagship for Commander , Task Force 24 , and tender for Commander , Patrol Wing 7 . Returning to Boston 15 August , she proceeded via Norfolk to Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . She discharged cargo there and at Trinidad , and steamed back to Norfolk 8 October . World War II Pacific Theater operations . On 30 October " Pocomoke " got underway , transited the Panama Canal , and proceeded via Seymour Bay , Galapagos Islands , to San Diego , California , 27 November . Then steaming to San Francisco , California , she sailed 2 December for Pearl Harbor where she discharged spare part s and supplies . After returning to the U . S . West Coast for additional supplies , " Pocomoke " sailed to Pearl Harbor 4 January 1943 , then , escorted by , proceeded to the Fiji Islands where she unloaded cargo . Following her return to the United States via Christmas Island and Pearl Harbor , she carried supplies and spare parts to Oahu 23 February to 11 March , and returned to San Francisco for repairs at Oakland , California , until 6 May . The next day she weighed anchor for Hawaii where she took on supplies and equipment at Pearl Harbor , and pushed on to Noumea , New Caledonia . On 6 June she embarked men of Patrol Bombing Squadrons 15 and 23 at Espiritu Santo and provided vital tender services in the area until sailing for Pearl Harbor 18 September . There she loaded cargo for Fleet Air Photograph Squadron 3 and sailed 1 October for Canton Island . She returned to San Diego 21 October . One week later she steamed with cargo and passengers for Pearl Harbor and continued on to Palmyra Island , Tutuila , Efate Island , and Espiritu Santo , off - loading much needed parts and supplies at these points before returning to Alameda , California , 14 December . Making the rounds over vast distances . " Pocomoke " continued her vital services , taking on Marine Night Fighter Squadron 532 ( VMF ( N ) - 532 ) with planes , rolling stock and equipment and sailed via Pearl Harbor to Funafuti Atoll , anchoring there 11 January 1944 . With she steamed for Tarawa and returned to Hawaii 25 January . Another brief return to the West Coast was followed by a stopover at Pearl Harbor to take on troops and ammunition destined for Espiritu Santo . Shuttling cargo and fighting men between Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal consumed " Pocomoke ’ s " efforts until she sailed 4 April among the islands of the Solomons group , dispensing needed services , and back to Espiritu Santo . She tended seaplanes at Kwajalein and Eniwetok before anchoring off Saipan 15 June to begin operations for Patrol Squadron 16 which were continued until 12 September . She departed for Kossol Passage , Palau Islands where she continued her repair and supply functions until 23 November . She finally sailed via Ulithi , Eniwetok , and Pearl Harbor for San Francisco , arriving 15 December . Philippine Islands support . Late January 1945 , saw " Pocomoke " again underway for Pearl Harbor and Manus Island to report for duty with Commander , Air Force , U . S . 7th Fleet 18 February . She returned to the task of ferrying supplies and passengers , getting underway for San Pedro Bay , Leyte Gulf , and Samar Island . She then tended seaplanes at Palawan Island and Tawitawi Island , for the duration of the active fighting war in the Pacific . On 28 August 1945 administrative command changed to Commander Philippine Sea Frontier , and 9 September " Pocomoke " set course for Sangley Point , Manila Bay . From 11 September 1945 through 1 February 1946 , she steamed among the various islands in the Philippine group , dispensing her services , providing supplies , ferrying troops , and operating search patrols wherever needed . Post - war inactivation and decommissioning . " Pocomoke " returned to San Diego 28 February 1946 and transited the Panama Canal 11 March to report for duty to Commander , Air Force , Atlantic . She was ordered to Norfolk , unloaded her ammunition and steamed into Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , where she was placed in the reserve group of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet . " Pocomoke " decommissioned 10 July 1946 her name was struck from the Navy List 1 June 1961 , she was ordered disposed 20 September 1961 , and was sold 12 December 1961 to the Union Minerals and Alloys Corp .