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 Devastator: one who destroys or lays waste 


Current USS Devastator 

USS Devastator (MCM-6) is an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship of the United States Navy. Devastator is the sixth of the fourteen Avenger class Mine Countermeasures Ships and the second ship in the Navy to bear the name. 

 
Construction of Devastator began on 9 February 1987 when her keel was laid at Peterson Shipbuilders in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Construction was finished and the vessel was launched on 11 June 1988. Devastator received her commission in the US Navy on 6 October 1990. 
 
1st USS Devastator 
The first USS Devastator (AM-318) was launched 19 April 1943 by General Engineering and Dry Dock Co., Alameda, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. D. A. Shaw; and commissioned 12 January 1944, Lieutenant Commander R. C. Gloss, USNR, as the commanding officer. 
 
Devastator arrived at Pearl Harbor 30 March 1944 as escort for a convoy. She provided convoy escort duty in Majuro and Kwajalein, which continued until 30 July. During 3 to 17 August she swept off French Frigate Shoal, and after one voyage to Eniwetok from 4 to 25 September, served at Pearl Harbor on training duty for the remainder of the year. 
 
Devastator sailed from Pearl Harbor 27 January 1945 as escort for transports bound for the invasion of Iwo Jima. She participated in pre-invasion minesweeping, escorted damaged vessels to Saipan and patrolled off the island before returning to Iwo Jima. On 19 March 1945 Devastator got underway for pre-invasion minesweeping at Okinawa. She patrolled during and after the invasion and in the heavy suicide attacks of 6 April splashed an enemy plane about 50 yards off her port quarter. On 4 July she cleared Okinawa for minesweeping operations in conjunction with the 3d Fleet raids on the Japanese mainland. She sailed from Okinawa 15 July for Seattle, arriving 12 August. Devastator remained in the pacific for operations until she was placed out of commission 30 January 1947. 
Re-commissioned 26 February 1952 Devastator served in the Far East from 8 July 1952 to 5 February 1953 and again from 5 October 1953 to 2 June 1954 carrying out dangerous sweeps in Korean waters. She then operated on the west coast until again placed out of commission in reserve 15 April 1955. She was reclassified MSF-318, 7 February 1955. 
 
Devastator received three battle stars for World War II service and two for Korean War service. 
 
For more detailed history on the first USS Devastator visit the Navy Archive page at https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/d/devastator-ii--mcm-6-.html.

 
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