USS Earl K. Olsen Pacific and Cold War Service

The USS Earl K. Olsen had a significant Pacific and Cold War service history.

Commissioned in 1945, the USS Earl K. Olsen served in the Pacific during the final months of World War II.

It played a role in the occupation and demilitarization of Japan, helping to bring peace to the region.

The USS Earl K. Olsen was decommissioned in 1946, but its service during this period was marked by its contribution to the post-war era.

The USS Earl K. Olsen had a significant presence in the Battle of the Atlantic, serving as a school ship and convoy escort between 1944 and 1945. She made six voyages between Boston, New York, and UK ports, playing a crucial role in keeping supply lines open.

Between August 1944 and May 1945, the USS Earl K. Olsen escorted convoys through treacherous waters, demonstrating her reliability and capability. She even rescued two men and escorted damaged ships to safety after a violent storm.

The USS Earl K. Olsen continued her service in the Pacific, joining the Pacific Fleet in June 1945 and participating in various operations until her decommissioning in 1946.

The DE 765 is a significant part of the service history. It was a major overhaul that took place in 2015.

The overhaul included a complete replacement of the engine's cylinder head. This was a complex and time-consuming process that required specialized tools and expertise.

The new cylinder head was designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. It also featured a more advanced cooling system to prevent overheating.

During the overhaul, the engine's timing belt was also replaced. This was done to prevent any potential damage to the engine's internal components.

The timing belt replacement was a critical part of the overhaul, as it ensured the engine's valves and pistons were properly synchronized.

Earl K. Olsen was launched on 13 February 1944 by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Inc., in Tampa, Florida.

She was sponsored by Mrs. H. E. Olsen, the mother of Lieutenant Commander Olsen, who played a significant role in the ship's early life.

Commissioned on 10 April 1944, Lieutenant Commander W. F. DeLong took command, with Lieutenant Robert G. Nichols serving as his executive officer.

After a short period serving as a school ship for the Fleet Sound School at Key West, Florida, Earl K. Olsen sailed to Casco Bay, Maine, for refresher training.

She then reported to Boston, Massachusetts, on 24 August, for convoy duty, marking the beginning of her crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Between 28 August 1944 and 24 May 1945, Earl K. Olsen made six voyages escorting convoys between Boston, New York, and United Kingdom ports.

On the fifth voyage, a violent storm caused the USAT J. W. McAndrew and the Béarn to collide, and Earl K. Olsen played a heroic role in rescuing two men and escorting the stricken ships into Ponta Delgada, Azores, for emergency repairs.

The Pacific War was a pivotal moment in Earl K. Olsen's service history, marking a significant shift in her operations.

She sailed from New York on 8 June 1945 to join the Pacific Fleet, training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during her passage to Pearl Harbor.

Her arrival at Pearl Harbor on 19 July marked the beginning of her time in the Pacific, where she would go on to play a crucial role.

She headed west again on 6 August, escorting ships to island ports and arriving at Manila on 3 September.

The same day, she commenced the first of four voyages to escort LSTs to Yokohama, and then operated in the Philippines until 9 January 1946.

After a brief return to San Pedro, California, Earl K. Olsen sailed on 10 March for Norfolk, Virginia, arriving on the 26th.

She then got underway for Green Cove Springs, Florida, arriving on the 13th, to decommission.

Her captain at decommissioning was Lieutenant Commander Robert G. Nichols USN, and she was placed out of commission in reserve on 17 June 1946.

The Cold War era was a significant time for Earl K. Olsen, as she was recommissioned on 21 November 1950, marking the beginning of her active service.

After a brief stint in Tampa, Florida, Earl K. Olsen made her way to Charleston, South Carolina, where she would serve as her new home port. She reached Charleston on 7 January 1951, and it would become her base of operations for the next few years.

One of the notable aspects of Earl K. Olsen's service during this time was her increased complement, which allowed her to continue training Naval Reservists while also expanding her cruising range. This enabled her to visit various countries, including those in the Caribbean, France, Spain, and Portugal, on multiple occasions.

The Caribbean, France, Spain, and Portugal were some of the countries visited by Earl K. Olsen during the summers of 1951 and 1955.

From 18 July 1953, Earl K. Olsen shifted her focus to Reserve training duty out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with fleet exercises punctuating her schedule.

The Earl K. Olsen's service came to an end on 23 November 1957, when it was reported for inactivation.

After serving its country, the Earl K. Olsen was placed out of commission in reserve again on 25 February 1958, at Philadelphia.

The ship was eventually sold on 15 October 1973 and broken up for scrap, marking the end of its long and storied career.

Here are some key facts about the Earl K. Olsen's decommissioning and fate:

The USS Earl K. Olsen was a US Navy ship with a rich history. The ship was named after Rear Admiral Earl K. Olsen, a US Navy officer who served in World War II.

The USS Earl K. Olsen was a destroyer escort ship, a type of vessel designed to escort and protect larger ships from enemy submarines. It was commissioned in 1944 and served during World War II.

The ship was 306 feet long and had a beam of 36.5 feet, making it a relatively small but agile vessel. Its displacement was 1,350 tons.

The USS Earl K. Olsen was armed with three 3-inch guns, two 40mm anti-aircraft guns, and two depth charge racks, making it a formidable opponent against enemy submarines.

The USS Earl K. Olsen was a US Navy ship that prioritized the health and safety of its crew. It had a well-equipped medical facility on board.

The ship's medical team was led by a chief medical officer who was responsible for ensuring the crew's health and safety. They had a team of experienced medical professionals who were trained to handle a variety of medical emergencies.

The ship had a strict sanitation policy in place to prevent the spread of diseases. This included regular cleaning and disinfection of living quarters, mess halls, and other areas where food was prepared or consumed.

The USS Earl K. Olsen also had a robust safety protocol in place to prevent accidents and injuries. This included regular drills and training exercises for the crew to prepare them for emergency situations.