From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
YMS-400: dp. 300 (f.); l. 136'; b. 24'6" ; dr. 8' -, a. 14 k.; cpl. 33; a. 1 3", 2 20mm., 4 dct., 2 dcp.; cl. YMS-1
The second Magpie (YMS-400) was laid down as YMS-100 by Henry B. Nevins, Inc., City Island, New York, N.Y., 3 July 1942; launched 24 March 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Marie Norby; and commissioned 15 May 1943, Lt. Alan G. Lynn, USNR, in command.
The new auxiliary motor minesweeper departed Staten Island for Norfolk, Va., I June, via the Chesapeake Bay; served briefly at Yorktown, Va. and escorted three merchant ships from Norfolk to Miami, Fla., arriving 27 June. She continued on to Key West, Fla., arriving the 30th.
YMS-400 reported to the Caribbean Sea frontier 2 July and the next day escorted a convoy to Cuba, arriving Guantanamo Bay the 6th. She spent the next 2 years on escort and patrol duties in the Caribbean out of Curacao, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad.
Following the Japanese surrender, the auxiliary motor minesweeper arrived at the Panama Canal Zone 10 September 1945 for 6 months of minesweeping. YMS-400 was named Magpie and reclassified AMS-25 on 17 February 1947. For the next 3 years, based at Guam, she continued sweeping duties interspersed with practice exercises in the Marshall, Caroline, and Palau Islands.
Magpie was operating out of Apra Harbor, when at 0411 on 25 June 1950 the Communist Army struck across the 38th parallel to attack South Korea. Two days later President Harry S. Truman ordered American naval and air support of the Republic of Korea and that afternoon the Security Council called on all members of the United Nations to assist in repelling the North Korean attack.
With hostilities in full fire, Magpie began minesweeping duty off Korea in September. On 1 October, while operating off the east coast of Korea with sister ship Merganser (AMS-26), Magpie struck a floating mine 2 miles off Chuksan, and sank. Twenty-one of her crew including the commanding officer, Lt. (jg.) Warren R. Person were never found. Merganser picked up the 12 survivors and transported them to Pusan. Magpie was struck from the Navy list 20 October 1950.
Magpie received one battle star for Korean service.
Transcribed by: Bill Mozingo, wmozingo@attbi.com