Definition
USS Neosho (AO‑48) was a United States Navy fleet oiler of the Neosho‑class, commissioned in 1941 and employed to transport and dispense fuel oil to naval vessels at sea. She served throughout World War II, the Korean War, and later operated under the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as USNS Neosho (T‑AO‑48) before being decommissioned in the 1970s.
Overview
- Construction and commissioning: Laid down on 20 March 1940 by the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in Chester, Pennsylvania; launched on 23 August 1940; commissioned on 15 May 1941.
- World War II service: After shakedown, Neosho joined the Pacific Fleet, supplying fuel to combat ships during key campaigns such as the Guadalcanal operation, the Central Pacific offensives, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She operated primarily in forward areas, often under threat from enemy aircraft and submarines. The ship earned multiple battle stars for her wartime service.
- Post‑war and Korean War: Following World War II, Neosho continued to serve in the Pacific, supporting occupation forces and later refueling United Nations naval units during the Korean War (1950‑1953).
- MSTS service: In 1950 the vessel was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service and redesignated USNS Neosho (T‑AO‑48). She performed logistic voyages for the U.S. armed forces, transporting petroleum products worldwide.
- Decommissioning and fate: Neosho was placed out of service in the early 1970s, struck from the Naval Vessel Register, and sold for scrapping in 1975.
Etymology/Origin
The ship was named for the Neosho River, a tributary of the Arkansas River that flows through Kansas and Oklahoma. The name “Neosho” is derived from a Native American (Osage) word meaning “clear water” or “clear, spring‑filled river.”
Characteristics
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Class & type | Neosho‑class fleet oiler |
| Displacement | Approximately 21 000 tons (full load) |
| Length | 553 ft (168.5 m) |
| Beam | 75 ft (22.9 m) |
| Draft | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Propulsion | Steam turbines, double‑reduction gearing, two propellers; approx. 9,000 shp |
| Speed | 18 knots (33 km/h) |
| Complement | Roughly 300 officers and enlisted personnel (varied with mission) |
| Cargo capacity | Up to 150 000 barrels of fuel oil and aviation gasoline |
| Armament (WWII) | Typically 5 × 5‑in (127 mm) guns, 4 × 40 mm anti‑aircraft guns, and 10 × 20 mm anti‑aircraft guns (armament altered during service) |
| Operational role | Replenishment‑at‑sea (fuel only), logistical support for combatant ships |
Related Topics
- Neosho‑class oilers – a small class of fleet oilers built for the U.S. Navy in the early 1940s.
- Fleet replenishment – the logistical practice of supplying fuel, ammunition, and provisions to naval vessels while underway.
- Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) – the predecessor of the Military Sealift Command, responsible for transporting supplies for the U.S. armed forces.
- United States Navy auxiliary ships – a broad category encompassing support vessels such as oilers, tenders, and supply ships.
- USS Neosho (CM‑12) – a separate World War I‑era minelayer bearing the same name, illustrating the reuse of river names in Navy ship nomenclature.