From Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Murrelet

A small sea bird found chiefly on islands in the northern Pacific.

(AM-372: dp. 890; 1. 221'1"; b. 32'2"; dr. 10'9"; s. 18.1 k.; cpl. 107; a. 1 3", 4 40mm., 8 20mm.; cl. Auk)

Murrelet (AM-372) was laid down 24 August 1944, by the Savannah Machine & Foundry Co., Savannah, Gal; launched 29 December 1944; sponsored by Mrs. W. L. Mingledorff; and commissioned 21 August 1945, Lt. Comdr. J. W. Wagstaff in command.

Following shakedown off Virginia, Murrelet departed Little Creek, and steamed for Japan, arriving Sasebo 14 January 1946. She engaged in sweeping operations in Japanese and Korean waters until 22 April, when she steamed for the west coast. Murrelet decommissioned 20 June 1948, and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet at San Diego.

After hostilities broke out in Korea, Murrelet recommissioned 28 October 1950. She reported to COMINRON 5 for extensive minesweeping training at Long Beach, Calif., 6 March 1951. She arrived Yokosuka, Japan, in August 1961 to aid U.N. forces meeting the challenge of Communist aggression. Departing Yokosuka 21 August, she sailed to Korea, participating in operations north of Wonsan, in the Hungnam, Songjin, and Chongjin areas She resumed shelling and sweeping operations at Songjin 27 November 1951, after returning from a period of yard duty at Yokosuka.

She continued sweeping and patrol duties off Korea in 1952, capturing and destroying several enemy sampans, until July, when she returned to the west coast. Murrelet started a second tour of duty off Korea in April 1953, returning to Long Beach in December.

Redesignated MSF-372, 7 February 1955, she continued to operate off the west coast, except for a 3d WesPac deployment that year. She decommissioned 14 March 1957, and was assigned to the Pacific Reserve fleet, at Columbia, Oreg. Struck from the Naval Register 1 December 1964, she was transferred June 1965 to the Philippine Re public under the Military Assistance Program, and in 1969 serves as Rizal (PCE-69).

Murrelet received five battle stars for Korean service.