From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, V. 1, Pt. A, 1991, p. 5
The Abnaki are an Indian tribe living in Maine and Canada.
(AT-96: dp. 1240; l. 205'; b. 38'6"; dr. 15.4"; s. 16.5 k.; cpl. 85; a. 1 3" ;cl. Cherokee)
Abnaki (AT-96) was launched 22 April 1943 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston, S. C.; sponsored by Mrs. James Mayon Jones; commissioned 15 November 1943. Lieutenant D. Walley in command; and reported to the Atlantic Fleet.
Between February 1944 and May 1945 Abnaki made four trans-Atlantic voyages. She was reclassified ATF-96, 15 May 1944. In June 1944 she towed to Bermuda the German submarine U-505 which had been captured by the Guadalcanal (CVE-60) task group.
Reporting to the Pacific Fleet in the summer of 1945 Abnaki served intermittently with the occupation forces in Japan until the outbreak of the Korean hostilities. Between 23 June 1951 and 15 February 1952 she operated with Service Division 31 furnishing mobile logistics support to the fleet during the Korean operations.
Since the cessation of hostilities in Korea, Abnaki has remained active with the Pacific Fleet. During February 1955 she took an active part in the evacuation of Chinese Nationalists from the Tachen Islands.
Abnaki received three battle stars for her service during the hostilities in Korea.
Transcribed by Richard H. Bouchard.