USS Brule (AKL-28)
USS "Brule" (AKL-28) was a U.S. Army Design 381-A Coastal Freighter of the United States Navy and later the South Korean Navy that saw service during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Ship history. "Brule" was laid down in December 1943 for the U.S. Army as Small Freighter FS-370. During construction, she was redesignated as a Produce Freighter, FP-370. She was delivered to the U.S. Army in July 1944. World War II. "Brule" carried provisions to advanced bases occupied by the Army, from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands. In 1945, the ship  came under Japanese aircraft attack near the Marinas and received damage and casualties. The crew managed to run the ship aground in shallow water, to prevent sinking. The ship was later re-floated and repaired. In July 1946, she was used during Operation Crossroads to tow the USS Brule (APA-66) for nuclear weapons testing. She would later bear the same name. Korean War. On 1 July 1950, "Brule" was placed into service by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as U.S.N.S. T-AKL-28. On 5 September 1952, "T-AKL-28" was named U.S.N.S. Brule (T-AKL-28). On 31 October 1952, she  was accepted by the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and placed in commission as U.S.S. Brule (AKL-28) with LT John H. Kollert in command. After completion of training, the "Brule" proceeded to Guam where on 31 January 1953 she reported to Commander, Service Division 51. Between February 1953 and December 1955, she transported cargo throughout the Pacific. On 31 December 1955, the division was decommissioned and Brule reported to Commander Naval Forces Marianas. On 25 November 1956, "Brule" proceeded to Subic Bay, beginning a long lengthy career as a shuttle vessel between Subic and Sangley Point. Vietnam War. On  September 1, 1965, "Brule" was re-commissioned for service in the Vietnam War. On 4 January 1966, after weeks of training in the Philippines, "Brule" set sail for the Republic of Vietnam. In 1968, the "Brule" sustained seven rocket hits while on one of her normal runs. Despite extensive damage to the superstructure and electrical cabling, "Brule" suppressed the enemy fire and proceeded on schedule. Her crew reported; “ship and crew ready to haul cargo or fight and not necessarily in that order.” Ships fate. "Brule" was decommissioned on 1 November 1971 at Chinhae, South Korea, and loaned to the  South Korean Navy as ROKS Ulsan (AKL-910). She was sold outright on 15 November 1974 and struck from the Naval Register. She has since been decommissioned from South Korean naval service. Her fate is unknown.