USS Gold Star ( AK - 12 ) USS " Gold Star " ( AK - 12 ) was a cargo ship acquired by the U . S . Navy for service in World War II . She was responsible for delivering necessary goods and equipment to ships and stations in the war zone . Renamed Gold Star . " Gold Star " ( AK - 12 ) was built in 1920 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp . , Wilmington , Delaware : taken over by the Navy as " Arcturus " from the USSB 8 November [ 1921 ] ; commissioned as " Arcturus " ( AK - 12 ) 1 February 1922 at Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , Lt . Comdr . J . Katterfield , USNRF , in command and 5 days later renamed " Gold Star " ( AK - 12 ) on 6 February . The ship was reclassified AG - 12 , 12 May 1922 . Post - World War I operations . Renamed " Gold Star " sailed from Philadelphia 18 March 1922 , arriving Seattle , Washington , 1 July via the Panama Canal Zone and California ports . During the next 2 years she served as a cargo ship on the U . S . West Coast , making three voyages with supplies for Alaskan radio stations . The ship steamed out of San Francisco , California , 9 October 1924 to assume her duties as station ship at Guam , arriving 3 November . An Asia specialist . During the 1920s and 1930s " Gold Star " became a familiar sight in the far - flung ports of Asia . Though assigned as flagship at Guam she made frequent voyages to Japan , China , and the Philippines with cargo and passengers . Prior to World War II , much of her crew was made up of Chamorros , natives of Guam . In the Philippines when World War II started . When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor , 7 December 1941 , " Gold Star " was coaling at Malangas , Philippine Islands . She sailed for Manila 8 December , but was ordered by Commander , Asiatic Fleet , to proceed to Balikpapan , Borneo . She arrived 14 December as the Japanese advanced quickly southward ; and after issuing urgently needed provisions to units of the Asiatic Fleet there , steamed by way of Macassar , Celebes , to Darwin , Australia . Following her arrival at Darwin 28 December , " Gold Star " served as a coastal cargo carrier , steaming between such Australian ports as Brisbane , Sydney , and Fremantle . She thus contributed importantly to strengthening Australia and to checking the Japanese advance in New Guinea . After 15 August 1943 the veteran ship continued her coastal operations in Australia , but also began a series of cargo voyages to New Guinea and the Admiralty Islands . " Gold Star " brought many loads of vital supplies to Milne Bay as the Allies began the push toward the Philippines . Supporting American invasion forces . The ship arrived Manus Island 6 January 1945 for repairs and conversion to squadron flagship for Service Squadron 9 . Operating in this capacity the old ship supported the mounting American advance toward Japan , sailing to Leyte and Morotai . While conducting cargo operations at Morotai 28 June " Gold Star " was attacked by enemy aircraft but sustained no damage . She arrived Manila 26 July via Tawitawi and remained there issuing supplies until the surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 . End - of - war activity . After supporting occupation forces in Japan , " Gold Star " sailed to Seattle , Washington , in February 1946 and decommissioned there 17 April 1946 . She had served over 21 years in the Western Pacific Ocean without once returning to the United States , and had carried countless tons of supplies , items large and small , for the warships of the fleet . The old ship was delivered to the Maritime Commission 30 June 1946 , and was sold for scrap 1 December 1947 to Dulien Steel Products , Inc . Military awards and honors . " Gold Star " received one battle star for World War II service . Her crew members were entitled to the following medals :