USS Chikaskia ( AO - 54 ) USS " Chikaskia " ( AO - 54 ) was a Cimarron - class fleet oiler acquired by the U . S . Navy during World War II . She served her country primarily in the Pacific Ocean Theatre of Operations , and provided petroleum products where needed to combat ships . For her very dangerous work under combat conditions , she was awarded six battle stars for World War II and one for the Korean War . " Chikaskia " was launched 2 October 1942 by Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard , Sparrows Point , Maryland , under a Maritime Commission contract ; sponsored by Mrs . J . L . Bates ; acquired by the Navy 10 January 1943 ; and commissioned 10 November 1943 , Commander L . J . Hasse , USNR , in command . World War II Pacific Theatre operations . On 15 December 1943 " Chikaskia " sailed from Norfolk , Virginia , loaded oil at Aruba and arrived at Pearl Harbor 7 January 1944 . She joined Task Force 58 at Majuro 4 February and provided logistic support for the fast carrier force ' s strikes during the occupation of Kwajalein , and on Truk . Between 7 March and 15 September 1944 " Chikaskia " operated out of Espiritu Santo , New Hebrides ; Purvis Bay , Florida Island ; and Manus , Admiralties , bringing vital at - sea replenishment of fuel to the fast carrier task forces and other ships . Departing Manus 18 September 1944 to aid the fast carrier task force engaged in the invasion of the southern Palaus , " Chikaskia " gave a striking illustration of her capabilities by simultaneously refueling and 23 September . Surviving typhoon conditions . Changing her base to Ulithi on 25 October 1944 , " Chikaskia " continued to support the fast carrier units . She was part of the fueling unit that endured the typhoon which struck the U . S . 3rd Fleet during a fueling rendezvous 18 December , weathering the heavy seas to return safely to Ulithi 24 December . She continued to provide logistic support during the operations in the Philippines , and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa until she returned to San Pedro , California , for overhaul 22 May 1945 . End - of - war activity . " Chikaskia " returned to Ulithi to support the U . S . 3rd Fleet from 17 August 1945 until she entered Tokyo Bay 20 September . After a period of shuttle service in support of the operations in China and Korea ( 8 – 22 November ) , she served as station tanker at Sasebo from 29 November 1945 to 31 March 1946 . Supporting nuclear testing . " Chikaskia " sailed from Sasebo 8 April 1946 bound for Bahrain , in the Persian Gulf , which she reached 30 April , and after loading oil , sailed for Kwajalein to participate in Operation Crossroads , the atomic weapons tests at Bikini Atoll . Korean War support . Assigned to the Naval Transportation Service 1 July 1947 , " Chikaskia " continued to operate in the Far East . On 1 October 1949 she was assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service , established that date . Returned to the Service Force , Pacific Fleet , 28 February 1953 , " Chikaskia " fueled ships operating in the Korean war between 30 May and 27 July . She continued to operate in the Pacific until June 1955 , when she returned to the United States . Final decommissioning . " Chikaskia " was placed out of commission in reserve 7 November 1955 . Recommissioned 12 December 1956 she was placed in the ready reserve in late 1957 and again joined the permanent Reserve Fleet in December 1958 . " Chikaskia " was recommissioned on 17 December 1960 . She was later decommissioned , 18 December 1969 , at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . She was struck from the Naval Register , 1 December 1976 and transferred to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet . She was sold , 26 May 1982 , her fate unknown . Awards . " Chikaskia " received six battle stars for World War II service and one star for Korean war service . It also should be noted , that this old warhorse served refueling support ships during the " Bay of Pigs " operation .