USS Pollux (AKS-4)

History
United States
Name	USS Pollux
Namesake	Pollux, the southern of two bright stars in the constellation Gemini, twin star of Castor[citation needed]
Ordered	as SS Nancy Lykes; C2-Cargo hull;
Laid down	2 October 1941
Launched	5 February 1942
Acquired	23 March 1942
Commissioned	27 April 1942
Decommissioned	3 April 1950
In service	5 August 1950
Out of service	31 December 1968
Stricken	1 January 1969
Fate	Sold for scrapping, 2 September 1969
General characteristics
Displacement	7,350 t.(lt) 13,910 t.(fl)
Length	459 ft 2 in (139.95 m)
Beam	63 ft (19 m)
Draught	26 ft 5 in (8.05 m)
Propulsion	steam turbine, single shaft, 6,000shp
Speed	16 kts.
Complement	315
Armament	one 3 in (76 mm) gun mounts

USS Pollux (AKS-4) was a

U.S. Navy for service in World War II

. She was responsible for delivering and disbursing goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.

The third ship to be named Pollux by the Navy, AKS–4 was laid down by the

Brooklyn, New York

, for conversion; and commissioned 27 April 1942.

World War II service

After a

Baltimore, Maryland, and Norfolk, Virginia

.

Transfer to Pacific Fleet

Pollux sailed 24 August 1943 for duty in the

Brisbane, Australia; Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides; and Oakland, California

.

End-of-war operations

Pollux then supported the Philippine Liberation Campaign. Operating out of

POW’s to be freed by US troops in the Manila area. During World War II

Pollux steamed 136,152 miles, generally on unescorted supply lines. Although she received no battle stars, her services permitted the fleet to operate far in advance of normal bases.

Atomic testing at Bikini

After World War II she operated in the Pacific with Service Squadron 1 earning the Navy Occupation Service Medal, 9 October to 12 November 1945; participating in the atomic tests at Bikini Atoll; and earning the China Service Medal for periods from 29 March 1947 to 6 August 1949.

Reactivated during Korean War

Pollux was placed in commission in reserve 3 April 1950, but recommissioned 5 August 1950. She served in the Korean War during periods from 13 October 1950 to 19 July 1953. From July 1953 through 1957 her operations continued between the West Coast of the United States and ports of the Far East, including Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.