Service History
Commissioned during the final year of World War II, Rankin served briefly during that conflict, and for about two years during the postwar transition to peacetime. She was put in mothballs in 1947, then recommissioned during the Korean War in 1952. Based in Norfolk from her recommissioning until the end of her service life, she participated in many cold war naval activities. In 1969, the Navy changed her hull classification symbol to LKA-103, and renamed Attack Cargo Ships as Amphibious Cargo Ships. (Other amphibious ships were also redesignated at that time, so that all amphibious designators began with the letter "L".) The USS Rankin was decommissioned in 1971, and was sunk in 1988 as a fishing and diving reef off the coast of Stuart, Florida.
She was a very special ship during her time in commission, always characterized by high morale and outstanding performance. At one time, she held every award available to a ship of her type. She became the first Atlantic Fleet ship to wear the Gold E, signifying five straight victories in the annual battle efficiency competition. Her captains included a Medal of Honor recipient, a winner of the Navy Cross, and a member of the Navy's Blue Angels flight team. Many of her officers later earned flag rank as Navy Rear, Vice, and full Admirals.
Read more about this topic: USS Rankin (AKA-103)
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