Carib AT-82

Chandeleur

A sound eastward of the delta of the Mississippi River.

(AV-10: dp. 5 300, 1. 492', b. 69'6"; dr. 23'9"; s. 18 k.;
cpl 1,075; a. 1 5"; cl. Tangier)

Chandeleur (AV-10) was launched 29 November 1941 by Western Pipe and Steel Co., San Francisco, Calif., under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. F. McCrary; transferred to the Navy 19 November 1942; and commissioned the same day, Captain W. Sinton in command.

From 15 January to 9 May 1943, Chandeleur supported South Pacific bases and operations by carrying cargo from San Diego to Efate, Espiritu Santo, Samoa and Noumea. She cleared San Diego 3 June with car' for Pearl Harbor, Midway, and Wallis, and arrived at Espiritu Santo 1 July. Here she provided tender services to, and served as base for, Patrol Squadron 71 until 13 October.

Chandeleur returned to cargo duty, now in support of the Treasuries Bougainville operations. Until 2 March 1944, she sailed between the New Hebrides Islands an Guadalcanal, carrying men and aviation equipment Following overhaul on the west coast, the seaplane tender made a cargo voyage to Pearl Harbor, then cleared Oakland, Calif., 18 May for Kwajalein and Eniwetok, arriving 21 June. At both Eniwetok and Saipan, Chandeleur tended Patrol Squadrons 202 and 216 as they flew missions during the invasion and capture of the Palau Islands.

In September 1944, with Commander, Fleet Air Wing 1 embarked, Chandeleur sailed to Kossol Roads, where she tended seaplanes providing part of the air cover for the long awaited invasion of the Philippines. At Ulithi from 25 December until 8 February 1945, she provided tender services for Patrol Squadron 21.
Chandeleur arrived at Kerama Retto 28 March 1945, and her seaplanes began their essential support of the invasion of Okinawa, covering the initial assault 1 April. These planes took part in sinking I-8 the Japanese submarine off Okinawa 31 March, and on 7 April spotted the battleship Yamato, which was promptly sunk by carrier planes. On 15 July, the seaplane base was moved to Okinawa, where Chandeleur continued to tend seaplanes in support of the pounding 3d Fleet rained on the Japanese home islands. After a brief call at Eniwetok, Chandeleur sailed for Ominato Ko, Honshu Japan,.where she tended seaplanes taking part in the occupation of Japan until 16 October. After a west coast overhaul, Chandeleur sailed to the Philippines to embark men for transportation to Seattle Wash., where she arrived 11 January 1946. She proceeded to the east coast, and was placed in service in reserve at Philadelphia 12 February 1947.

Chandeleur received five battle stars for World War II service.