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Contact Info
Home Town Augusta
Last Address San Diego, CA
Date of Passing Oct 13, 1982
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
His 1st (of 4) Navy Cross Citation reads:
For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a U.S. Submarine during a war patrol in enemy-controlled waters. Despite extremely strong enemy escorts which included air support, he skillfully penetrated the escort screens, and through his daring and aggressive determination, delivered smashing torpedo attacks against enemy shipping. As a result of these well-planned and brilliantly executed attacks, he successfully sank three enemy ships totaling 20,200 tons, and damaged tow additional enemy ships totaling 15,000 tons. Although severely depth-charged and fired upon by escorts, and bombed by aircraft, his skillful and brilliant evasive tactics enabled him to escape and bring his ship to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.
Hull number AD-15 Dixie Class Destroyer Tender:
Laid down, 7 December 1938, at New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.
Launched, 9 December 1939
Commissioned USS Prairie (AD-15), 5 August 1940, CAPT. John B. W. Waller in command
During World War II Prairie was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
During the Vietnam War Prairie participated in the following campaign:
Vietnam War Campaign
Campaign and Dates
Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign, 16 t o17 March 1973
Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register, 26 March 1993
Transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.
Title transfer to MARAD, 1 April 1993
Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 2 April 2 1993 (some sources indicate 6 April 1993) to "Nishant Import & Export" of the United Arab Emirates for $960,000. Towed to India in April 1993 and scrapped
USS Prairie earned one campaign star for Vietnam War service
Specifications: Displacement 18,000 t. (lim) Length 530' 6" Beam 73' 4" Draft 24' 5" Speed 19.6 kts (trial) Complement
officer 123
enlisted 1,576 Armament
four single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mounts
four single 40mm AA gun mounts
two 3pdr gun mounts
Aft two 5"/38 mounts and all 40mm gun mounts later removed, and helicopter platform added Largest boom capacity 20 t. Ship's Service Generators four 750Kw 450V A.C. Fuel Capacity
NFSO 24,555 Bbls.
Diesel 2,705 Bbls. Propulsion
two New York Shipbuilding Parsons-design steam turbines
four Babcock & Wilcox "A" (three drum expansion type) boilers 485psi 720°.
double De Laval Main Reduction Gear two propellers, 11,000shp
