USS Point Cruz (CVE 119)

- formerly TROCADERO BAY -
- later AKV 19 -
- later T-AKV 19 -
- decommissioned -

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USS POINT CRUZ was one of the COMMENCEMENT BAY - class escort carriers. Initially named TROCADERO BAY, her name was changed to POINT CRUZ on June 5, 1944, making her the first ship in the Navy named after the decisive land battle fought November 7-10, 1942 on Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands. Decommissioned on June 30, 1947, POINT CRUZ was reactivated for Korean War duty in 1951 until decommissioned in 1956. After nine years in mothballs, POINT CRUZ was again reactivated as USNS POINT CRUZ (T-AKV 19) serving as civilian-manned aircraft ferry in the western Pacific. Finally retired on October 16, 1969, the ship was sold for scrapping in 1971.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: 1944
	Keel laid: December 4, 1944
	Launched: May 18, 1945
	Commissioned: October 16, 1945
	Decommissioned: June 30, 1947
	Recommissioned: July 26, 1951
	Decommissioned: August 31, 1956
	Reactivated as T-AKV 19: August 23, 1965
	Out of Service: October 16, 1969
	Builder: Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Tacoma, Wash.
	Propulsion system: four boilers, geared turbines
	Propellers: two
	Length: 557 feet (170 meters)
	Flight Deck Width: 105.3 feet (32.1 meters)
	Beam: 75 feet (23 meters)
	Draft: 30.8 feet (9.35 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 24,250 tons full load
	Speed: 19 knots
	Catapults: two
	Aircraft: 34 planes
	Armament: two 5-inch L/38 gun, 36 40mm guns, 20 20mm guns
	Crew: 1066

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS POINT CRUZ. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

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USS POINT CRUZ Cruise Books:

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History of USS POINT CRUZ:

POINT CRUZ, an escort carrier named TROCADERO BAY until 5 June 1944, was laid down 4 December 1944 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Incorporated, Tacoma, Wash.; launched 18 May 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Earl R. DeLong; and commissioned 16 October 1945, Captain D. T. Day in command.

Following acceptance and shakedown, she conducted pilot qualifications off the West Coast from October 1945 to March 1946. Thereafter she ferried aircraft to forward bases in WestPac. She entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard 3 March 1947 for inactivation; decommissioned 30 June 1947 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Bremerton, Wash.

After the start of hostilities in Korea the ship was activated and recommissioned 26 July 1951, Captain Horace Butterfield in command. POINT CRUZ departed CONUS 4 January 1953 after coastal operations and an extensive overhaul modifying her for use as an ASW Hunter-Killer Group carrier.

Based at Sasebo, Japan, POINT CRUZ patroled the Korean coast in the spring of 1953. After the armistice, her heliocopter squadron took part in Operation "Platform", airlifting Indian troops to the Panmunjom buffer zone to supervise the POW exchange.

The CVE returned to San Diego in late December 1953, and after training and additional overhaul deployed to WestPac again 24 August 1955. While in the Pacific operating with the 7th Fleet, she served as flagship of Carrier Division 15. POINT CRUZ departed Yokosuka 31 January 1956 and arrived Long Beach in early February for inactivation at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Decommissioned 31 August 1956, CVE 119 was placed in the Bremerton Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet. While in a reserve status, she was redesignated AKV 19, 17 May 1957.

POINT CRUZ was reactivated 23 August 1965 and placed under the operational control of the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as T-AKV 19 in September 1965. She subsequently served as an aircraft ferry for MSTS, providing vital logistical support for American forces in South East Asia.

Placed out of service 16 October 1969, POINT CRUZ was sold for scrapping in 1971.

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