USS Pocomoke (AV-9) - World War II Pacific Theater Operations

World War II Pacific Theater Operations

On 30 October Pocomoke got underway, transited the Panama Canal, and proceeded via Seymour Bay, Galapagos Islands, to San Diego, California, 27 November. Then steaming to San Francisco, California, she sailed 2 December for Pearl Harbor where she discharged spare parts and supplies.

After returning to the U.S. West Coast for additional supplies, Pocomoke sailed to Pearl Harbor 4 January 1943, then, escorted by USS Breese (DM-18), proceeded to the Fiji Islands where she unloaded cargo. Following her return to the United States via Christmas Island and Pearl Harbor, she carried supplies and spare parts to Oahu 23 February to 11 March, and returned to San Francisco for repairs at Oakland, California, until 6 May.

The next day she weighed anchor for Hawaii where she took on supplies and equipment at Pearl Harbor, and pushed on to Noumea, New Caledonia. On 6 June she embarked men of Patrol Bombing Squadrons 15 and 23 at Espiritu Santo and provided vital tender services in the area until sailing for Pearl Harbor 18 September. There she loaded cargo for Fleet Air Photograph Squadron 3 and sailed 1 October for Canton Island. She returned to San Diego 21 October. One week later she steamed with cargo and passengers for Pearl Harbor and continued on to Palmyra Island, Tutuila, Efate Island, and Espiritu Santo, off-loading much needed parts and supplies at these points before returning to Alameda, California, 14 December.