USS Brant ( AM - 24 ) USS " Brant " ( AM - 24 ) was a in the United States Navy during World War II . She was named by the U . S . Navy for the brant , a small goose . " Brant " was launched 30 May 1918 by Sun Shipbuilding Co . , Chester , Pennsylvania ; sponsored by Miss Lois Graham ; commissioned 5 September 1918 , Lieutenant J . W . Stoakley in command ; and reported to the Minesweeping Force , 5th Naval District , to sweep convoy courses off the coast of Virginia . East Coast operations . She served as a lightship off the Virginia coast in December 1918 . In May 1919 she was placed under Director of Tugs , 5th Naval District , for towing and harbor operations at Norfolk . On 17 September 1919 " Brant " reported to Train , Pacific Fleet , at San Diego . She remained on the west coast with the fleet until June 1941 , serving as a minesweeper , target vessel , and fleet tug , except for short periodic moves to the east coast , the Caribbean , Panama Canal area , and the Hawaiian Islands on fleet concentrations and exercises . Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet , " Brant " arrived at New York Navy Yard 1 August 1941 and commenced operations between Washington , D . C . , and Solomons Island , Maryland , testing mines . On 26 November 1941 " Brant " arrived at the Naval Operating Base , Argentia , Newfoundland , where she carried out towing operations and picket and escort duty until June 1942 . Between 10 and 13 February 1942 she aided the Norwegian steamer , aground off Shots Cove , Newfoundland , and transported her crew to Argentia . On 16 February she assisted the British steamer off a shoal in Placentia Bay . Between 18 and 24 February she was on duty at Great St . Lawrence Harbor near the scene of the grounded and . On 6 May she rescued the crew from the grounded on Virgin Rocks . World War II Atlantic operations . On 29 June 1942 she arrived at Boston for an extensive overhaul . Her designation was changed to Ocean tug AT - 132 on 1 June 1942 , and to Repair ship ARS - 32 on 1 September 1942 . On 6 November 1942 " Brant " departed the United States for the Mediterranean where she remained between 25 November 1942 and 16 December 1943 conducting salvage operations . During this time she operated at various ports in Algeria , Morocco , Tunisia , Sicily , and Italy . She also participated in the Sicilian occupation ( 9 – 15 July 1943 ) and the Salerno landings ( 9 – 21 September 1943 ) . Damaged by friendly fire off Sicily . USS " Brant " was accidentally damaged 10 August 1943 , off Sicily , when inadequate signals caused friendly naval forces to shell her . " Brant " was on a mission to locate a drifting LCT and left from Licata , Sicily in the regular convoy channel . At 0100 , the destroyer USS " Benson " fired two star shells and 15 service rounds at the " Brant " from greater than 4000 yards . Extensive fires occurred , but were immediately controlled . Ten of her crew were killed and 18 wounded . On the same day " Brant " steamed to Sicily and the " Benson " proceeded to Malta . The formal inquest on 24 August 1943 in Bizerte , Tunisia stated the following Findings of Facts : 1 . The moon had set and visibility was poor . ( Glass range 3000 yards ) 2 . BRANT was not equipped with radar . 3 . BRANT only knew BENSON was in area after star shell had burst . 4 . BRANT used her aldis lamp to challenge BENSON because her 12 - in lamp was immediately destroyed . 5 . The BENSON used a blue signal lamp from 4500 yards . ( Not visible until 2500 yards ) 6 . BRANT was in a regular convoy route . 7 . BRANT damage was on main deck . 8 . 5 known dead , 5 missing , 18 wounded . 9 . BRANT used correct challenge under fire . 10 . Neither BRANT nor BENSON challenge lights were strong enough for visibility conditions . 11 . BRANT proceeded under own power to Bizerte in Tunisia 12 . BRANT was tied up to Large Repair Ship in Bizerte for extensive repairs . Normandy Invasion operations . Returning to the United States in January 1944 , " Brant " underwent a yard overhaul at Norfolk , Virginia , and then departed for Falmouth , England , where she arrived 9 March 1944 . She carried out salvage and towing operations at various ports in England and Scotland until June when she departed for the invasion of the European continent . Between 6 and 19 June 1944 she furnished logistic support to ships participating in the invasion of Normandy . " Brant " continued with her salvage duties in English and French waters until June 1945 when she proceeded to Bremerhaven , Germany . Remaining at Bremerhaven until 26 July 1945 , she then sailed for the United States , via Ireland . She arrived at New London , Connecticut , 25 August 1945 and then steamed to New York where she remained moored until 4 October . She was decommissioned 19 December 1945 at New York Navy Yard and transferred to the Maritime Commission 19 August 1946 . " Brant " received three battle star s for her service in World War II .