USS Auk ( AM - 57 ) USS " Auk " ( AM - 57 ) was an acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing . " Auk " was named after the auk , a diving bird native to the colder climates of the northern hemisphere . The second warship of the U . S . Navy to be named " Auk " , the ship was laid down on 15 April 1941 at Portsmouth , Virginia , by the Norfolk Navy Yard ; launched on 26 August ; sponsored by Miss Priscilla Alden Hague , the daughter of Comdr . Wesley M . Hague ; and commissioned on 15 January 1942 , Lt . Comdr . George W . Allen in command . Participation in Operation " Torch " . After shakedown and training off the Virginia Capes , the new minesweeper operated along the Atlantic coast until October when she received orders to join the Western Naval Task Force for Operation Torch , the invasion of North Africa . She sortied from Norfolk , Virginia , on the 23rd of that month as a part of the Center Attack Group , bound for Fedhala Roads just off the Moroccan coast . Shortly before midnight on 7 November the task force arrived in position and began disembarking troops for the landing at dawn on the 8th . Just a few minutes after 0500 , a little French steamer escorted by the trawler " Victoria " blundered into the columns of transports offshore . At 1200 , began laying a minefield to the east as a protection for the Center Attack Group . While screening the minelayer , " Auk " and engaged the Vichy French patrol vessel " W - 43 " which was escorting six merchant and fishing vessels through the transport area . They captured the corvette with a minimal amount of trouble and also took three of the other ships . " Auk " worked out of Casablanca , French Morocco , operating as a convoy escort , a screening ship , and a harbor patrol boat until 11 April 1943 , when she headed west with a homeward - bound convoy . Following her arrival at Charleston , South Carolina , on the 30th , the minesweeper proceeded to Norfolk , Virginia , for drydocking and overhaul . From June to April 1944 , " Auk " escorted convoys from Norfolk and New York to ports in the Caribbean and along the U . S . Gulf coast . Participation in Operation " Overlord " . On 19 April , the minesweeper again headed eastward to prepare for Operation Overlord , the invasion of Europe . Proceeding via the Azores and Milford Haven , Wales , she reached Plymouth , England , on the 29th . While in British waters , " Auk " joined other units of Mine Squadron ( MinRon ) 21 in practice sweeping operations . Early on 4 June , she got underway to sweep mines in the Baie de la Seine , France , to prepare the way for the assault on Utah Beach , Normandy , scheduled for the 5th . Weather forced the postponement of the landings until the following day , but one of " Auk ' s " sister ships , , hit a mine and sank . The invasion began on 6 June , and " Auk " remained off the beaches until the 19th , sweeping nearby waters . She then returned to Plymouth , England , for supplies . On 25 June , " Auk " returned to sweeping duties off Cherbourg , France , where she cleared a lane ahead of a major bombardment force including battleships , , and . Shortly after midday , enemy shore batteries opened fire on the sweepers . By 1230 , every minesweeper — including " Auk " — had been straddled by enemy salvos . Hampered by their five - knot top speed when streaming sweep gear , the minesweepers were ordered to retire out of range until the task force concluded its gunfire . Between 29 June and 24 July , with the exception of brief runs to England for supplies , " Auk " continued sweeping operations in the Baie de la Seine . The sweeper sailed with MinRon 21 for Gibraltar on 1 August , transited the strait on the 5th , and briefly stopped at Oran , Algeria , on the 6th . From there , " Auk " proceeded to Naples , Italy , one of the staging points for the invasion of southern France . Participation in Operation " Dragoon " . When Operation Dragoon commenced on 15 August , " Auk " was off the designated beaches of Provence with Vice Admiral Hewitt ' s Control Force . She remained along the coast of southern France until 26 September , intermittently coming under fire by enemy coastal batteries while sweeping Baie de Cavalaire , Baie de Briande , Baie de Bon Porte , Marseille harbor , and waters off Toulon . Therefore , " Auk " continued minesweeping and patrol missions in the Mediterranean until 31 May 1945 , when she headed for the United States . Post - World War II operations . Arriving in Norfolk , Virginia , on 15 June , she received an overhaul . The minesweeper remained in the Norfolk Navy Yard until 25 August . After leaving the yard , she conducted local training operations before sailing on 18 September . Proceeding through the Panama Canal , she reached San Pedro , California , on 9 October . However , instead of reporting for Pacific Fleet duty , " Auk " received orders for inactivation . She departed California on 26 November and headed for Portland , Oregon , where she was scheduled to undergo inactivation overhaul . Upon her arrival at that port , on 10 December , " Auk " found severely crowded conditions which resulted in new orders which sent the minesweeper back to San Diego , California where she moored on the last day of 1945 . Decommissioning . " Auk " was decommissioned on 1 July 1946 and berthed with the reserve fleet at San Diego , California . In a general reclassification dated 7 February 1955 , her hull designation was changed to MSF - 57 . Her name was struck from the Navy list on 1 August 1956 . Awards . " Auk " earned three battle stars for her World War II activities .