USS Azimech ( AK - 124 ) USS " Azimech " ( AK - 124 ) was a commissioned by the U . S . Navy for service in World War II , named after Azimech , the other name of Spica , the brightest star in constellation Virgo . She was responsible for delivering troops , goods and equipment to locations in the war zone . SS " Mary Patten " was laid down on 21 July 1943 under a Maritime Commission contract ( MCE hull 1725 ) by the Permanente Metals Corp . , Richmond , California ; launched on 11 August 1943 ; sponsored by Mrs . Otis A . Kent ; acquired by the Navy on 7 October 1943 ; renamed " Azimech " and designated AK - 124 on 11 October 1943 ; converted for naval service at Oakland , California , by the Moore Dry Dock Company ; and commissioned on 29 October 1943 , Lt . Comdr . E . P . Gaither in command . World War II Pacific Theatre operations . After a brief shakedown , the cargo ship got underway on 11 November for Hawaii . At Pearl Harbor , she was assigned for duty to Service Squadron 8 , U . S . Pacific Fleet . The ship discharged her cargo and then entered the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for an overhaul of her main engines and boilers . " Azimech " was on keelblocks for 16 days , then began loading cargo . She set sail on 28 December for the Gilbert Islands . Supporting Tarawa operations under fire . " Azimech " reached Tarawa on 8 January 1944 and began unloading her cargo . The process was hampered by frequent enemy air attacks and reefs in the lagoon which permitted the ship to unload only at high tide . " Azimech " made additional stops at Makin and Apamama Islands before heading back to Pearl Harbor . After a brief stop in Hawaii , " Azimech " continued on to the U . S . West Coast and moored at San Pedro , California , on 6 March . Following an availability period at Terminal Island from 10 March until 9 April , she filled her holds with cargo at Oakland , California , and began the voyage back to Hawaii on 26 April . Providing service at Majuro and Eniwetok . On 7 May , " Azimech " sailed from Pearl Harbor with a convoy bound for Majuro . They reached that naval base on 18 May and reported to Service Squadron 10 for duty . The cargo ship lay at anchor in Majuro lagoon , issuing stores to forces ashore , until 3 June when she got underway for Eniwetok . After serving at that atoll until 24 August , she steamed back to Hawaii ; paused for one day at Pearl Harbor ; and then pushed on to the U . S . West Coast . Servicing Ulithi and Kossol Roads . The ship reached San Francisco , California , on 13 September to begin reloading operations . While taking on cargo , she also received minor repairs and alterations before heading west again on 26 September . After stops at Pearl Harbor and Eniwetok , " Azimech " arrived at Ulithi on 2 November . She operated there until the 16th and then steamed in company with to Kossol Roads . Two days later , the ships reached their destination , and " Azimech " began issuing supplies . On 5 December 1944 , the vessel weighed anchor and traveled back to Pearl Harbor via Ulithi and Eniwetok . Overhaul at the Puget Sound Navy Yard . Following the holidays , " Azimech " got underway for Seattle , Washington , and entered the Puget Sound Navy Yard on 16 January 1945 for repairs . On 15 February , she began steaming for Eniwetok and reached that atoll on 11 March . Following eight days at Ulithi , she set sail for the Ryūkyūs . Supporting Okinawa and Guam . " Azimech " remained anchored off Kerama Retto from 18 to 29 April . On the latter day , she shifted berth to Hagushi beach , Okinawa , her base until 7 May when she sailed for Guam . The cargo ship began loading cargo there on 24 May and did not finish the task until 8 June . She then got underway for Ulithi and , on 10 June , anchored in that lagoon where she remained for the duration of the war . End - of - war activity . On 23 August , " Azimech " shaped a course for the coast of southern California . Reaching San Pedro , California , on 15 September , the ship unloaded her ammunition and provisions to prepare for a yard period . She sailed again on 13 October , bound for Norfolk , Virginia . After transiting the Panama Canal on 25 October , " Azimech " reached Hampton Roads on 3 November . Post - war decommissioning . She immediately began preparations for deactivation . The cargo ship moved to Baltimore , Maryland , on 21 November for a final yard period and was decommissioned on 11 December . Her name was struck from the Navy List on 3 January 1946 . She remained in merchant service until sold in 1972 to a firm in Spain for scrapping . Military awards and honors . " Azimech " won one battle star for her World War II service : Her crew was eligible for the following medals :