USS Grainger (AK-184) - Korean War Support

Korean War Support

With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea and shortage of ammunition ships in the Far East Grainger loaded with aircraft ammunition and cleared Guam 14 July 1950. She was to rendezvous with Admiral Arthur Dewey Struble's Task Force 77 on the 23d and rearm the carrier Valley Forge, but due to weather conditions had to complete her mission in Sasebo, Japan, the next day.

Here Grainger was assigned to the Logistics Support Group (Captain B. L. Austin) for the U.S. 7th Fleet as a replenishing ammunition ship. She continued this important job until 15 September when she got underway for the objective area in support of the landings at Inchon, one of the most successful amphibious operations in history. Grainger participated in the landings 16 September and after landing her cargo remained in Inchon Harbor until 7 October, when she retired to Sasebo.

Departing Sasebo 21 October 1950 Grainger returned to Guam on the 28th and resumed her task of logistic support to the Marianas and the Carolines. Departing Kwajalein 2 March 1951 Grainger sailed for Pearl Harbor arriving 13 March. Here she took up duty contributing logistic support to Midway Island and Kwajalein atoll until 18 June 1953.

The ship then cleared Pearl Harbor to take up duty in Sasebo, where she arrived 12 July. With the exception of a voyage to Inchon, Korea, with refrigerated and dry stores for occupation troops (6-13 October) Grainger steamed between Sasebo and Yokosuka until 19 March 1954, returning to Pearl Harbor 2 April to take up her familiar runs to Kwajalein and Midway Island. 5 March 1955 found Grainger again rotating to Sasebo where she arrived 29 March. Her visits included Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Subic Bay, Philippine Islands; Kaohsiung, Formosa; and Hong Kong.