USS Faribault (AK-179) was an acquired by the U.S. Navy during the final months of World War II. Faribault served US military forces in the Pacific Ocean until shortly after the war when she was deactivated. During the Korean War, she was reactivated and served with distinction, having been awarded two battle stars before final decommissioning.
Faribault was launched 24 February 1945 by Kaiser Cargo, Inc., Richmond, California, under a Maritime Commission contract, MC hull 2375; sponsored by Mrs. L. J. Morand; acquired by the Navy 20 April 1945; and commissioned the same day.
Between 16 June and 1 September 1945, Faribault voyaged from San Francisco, California, to Leyte and Eniwetok with cargo, then sailed again 29 September with cargo for use in the occupation of Japan.
She remained in the western Pacific Ocean, carrying cargo to and from Yokosuka, Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, Luzon, Samar, and Manus Island, until returning to San Francisco 23 April 1946. Faribault was decommissioned at Seattle, Washington, 10 July 1946, and returned to the US Maritime Commission the following day.
Reacquired 16 May 1947, Faribault was recommissioned 26 June 1947 at Bremerton, Washington, and assigned to duty in the Service Force, Pacific Fleet, based on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
She ranged among the islands of the Hawaiian, Marshall, Caroline, and Philippine groups, as well as other isolated islands such as Johnston Island. Between 7 November 1952 and 22 July 1953, she carried cargo from Pearl Harbor to Japan and Korea for support of the troops in Korea, then returned to duty in the Central Pacific.
Faribault served in the Far East once more between 11 August 1954 and 3 April 1955, and during September, October, and November 1954, lay at Tourane and Haiphong, Indochina, acting as fleet issue ship to the force carrying out Operation Passage to Freedom, the evacuation of civilian refugees from Communist-held North Vietnam. From April 1955 through the remainder of the year, she carried cargo from Pearl Harbor to Midway Islands and the Marshall Islands.
On 13 April 1956 she arrived at San Diego, California, where she was placed out of commission in reserve 20 July 1956, in the San Diego Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
Ultimately, following the rejection of two bids, both for a scrap sale in the United States, the Learner Company won the bid opened on 21 September 1960, to scrap the vessel in Japan. The Maritime Administration awarded the contract on 17 October 1960. The vessel was removed from government custody on 14 December 1960.
Faribault received two battle stars for Korean War service.
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