USS Jason (AR-8) - Korean War Operations

Korean War Operations

As the Communists grew bolder, and their regime in North Korea staged an overt act of aggression on South Korea, the United States responded to the challenge. American forces were dispatched to the area, and naval power played an important role in the conflict. With an increased number of ships in the Far East, Jason departed Oakland, California, on 22 July 1950 for Sasebo and immediately began service duties upon her arrival in August. Throughout the war she remained at Sasebo for extended periods performing the repair tasks at hand, with only brief overhaul periods in the United States.

Following the cessation of hostilities in Korea, Jason returned to San Diego, California, on 6 November 1953. Six months later she sailed for another WestPac deployment which included a goodwill tour to Chin Hae, Korea. It was during this cruise, that the Chinese Communists began to harass the Nationalist-held Tachen Islands. The powerful U.S. 7th Fleet, which Jason helped maintain, sent units into the area to make certain the peace was not violated. Jason returned to San Diego, California, on 13 February 1955 and commenced repair services off the West Coast of the United States.

Her next Far Eastern tour began January 1956, and she operated, in Japan, Okinawa, and Formosa before returning to San Diego, in late October. While on still another deployment to Sasebo she was redesignated AR-8 on 9 September 1957. As Jason was about to return home, a near crisis flared in Indonesia, and the 7th Fleet kept watch on the potential trouble spot. Following her return to San Diego on 14 February 1958, she operated there throughout the year, giving valuable service to the Pacific Fleet.