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As the Korean War settled into a "routine" during 1951, the resupply of Navy ships at sea continued in the pattern established during the latter part of 1950. Task Force 77 and other warships in the Sea of Japan were replenished by a regularly-maintained force of two tankers, one or two ammunition ships, plus such other supply ships as were needed. Navy ships in the Yellow Sea were supported by logistics ships sent out on an individual basis.
The supply requirements of intense air and gunfire bombardment, compounded by the demands of fuel-hungry jet aircraft, ensured that these logistics ships were kept very busy shuttling between the operating forces and rear-area ports. As the war continued, the efficiency of underway replenishment improved as much as an evolving "state of the art" allowed. Night-time resupply, previously seen as unacceptably dangerous, became routine, allowing ships to work almost around-the-clock, flying and shooting during the day and replenishing fuel and ammunition after dark -- a very punishing pace for crews, but one that could be sustained during a military crisis.
This vigorous logistics experience had a great impact on the post-Korean War Navy. New logistics ships were built, and existing hulls modernized to increase capacity. These incorporated greatly improved supply-handling gear and made possible multi-product transfers during an single period alongside.
This page features images of Korean War underway replenishment activities during 1951-53.
For links to more pictures of Korean War logistic efforts,
see:
For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more
comprehensive pictorial coverage of other aspects of that conflict,
see:
| If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions. |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
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Photo #: 80-G-427413 USS Jupiter (AVS-8) Comes alongside USS Valley Forge (CV-45) to transfer supplies, during operations off the Korean Coast. Photo is dated 21 February 1951. Note Jupiter's name painted above her bow hull number, a rather unusual practice. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-427412 USS Jupiter (AVS-8) Comes alongside USS Valley Forge (CV-45) to transfer supplies, during operations off the Korean Coast. Photo is dated 21 February 1951. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-435050 USS Ashtabula (AO-51) Refuels USS Boxer (CV-21) and a destroyer in heavy seas, during operations off the Korean coast. Photo is dated 10 April 1951. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 96261 USS Manatee (AO-58) Refueling HMAS Warramunga (Australian destroyer, 1942) in Korean waters. Photograph is dated 27 June 1951. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 610 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 97348 USS Yarnall (DD-541) Hauls away to starboard after "topping off" from the oiler USS Manatee (AO-58), during replenishment operations off Korea, circa August 1951. USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) is approaching from astern to fill her bunkers next. USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) is refueling on the oiler's opposite side. Photograph was released by Commander Naval Forces Far East under date of 7 August 1951. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 610 pixels |
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Photo #: 80-G-440189 USS Antietam (CV-36) and USS Wisconsin (BB-64) Steam alongside USS Rainier (AE-5) as she pulls away after supplying ammunition to the carrier and battleship, in Korean waters. Photo is dated 8 February 1952. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 128KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-444887 USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), USS Barton (DD-722) and USS Iowa (BB-61) Operating in the Sea of Japan, off Korea, during replenishment operations. Photo is dated 1 July 1952. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 113KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 79406 Task Force 77 off Korea, June 1953 An aircraft carrier and a destroyer refueling from an oiler, as three other destroyers steam astern. The ship at right is USS Radford (DDE-446). Photographed from USS Manchester (CL-83). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 112KB; 600 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: 80-G-639487 Task Force 77 Replenishing during operations off Korea. The carrier in the foreground is USS Boxer (CVA-21), taking on fuel from an oiler, which is also fueling a destroyer. Two other carriers, several destroyers and another replenishment ship are following. Photo is dated 2 June 1953. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 97301 USS Virgo (AKA-20) Transferring special weapons to USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) while en route to Japan, 8 June 1953. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 610 pixels |
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For links to more pictures of Korean War logistic efforts,
see:
For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more
comprehensive pictorial coverage of other aspects of that conflict,
see:
| If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions. |
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Historical Center home page.Page made 13 August 2000
New image added 7 October 2003