USS Montague (AKA-98)


USS Montague was an named after a county in Texas. She served as a commissioned ship for 10 years and 7 months.
Montague, was built under Maritime Commission contract by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Kearny, N.J.; launched on 12 February 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Irving S. Olds; and commissioned on 13 April 1945, Capt. B. H. Thomas in command.

Service history

After shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay, Montague proceeded to Hawaii, arriving Pearl Harbor on 10 June 1945. She departed Pearl Harbor on 2 July 1945, unloading her cargo on 10 July 1945 at Eniwetok. The Montague departed Eniwetok on 13 July 1945.
According to eyewitness accounts, "On the way to Ulithi we were attacked by submarines with torpedo spotted aft and just missing her fantail. Arrived Ulithi, Caroline Islands 17 July. Left 29 July and on the way to Okinawa a huge storm almost washed me off the ship. Arrived Okinawa Ryukyu Islands August,5. While there we were practicing "hitting" the beach with full crew and equipment on our 'Higgins boat' in preparation for the invasion of Japan. Also when we were under attack by Kamikaze aircraft our smokepots protected us. The wind blew away the protection on some other ships at anchor. 6 Aug it was announced that the first atomic bomb had been dropped. Left Okinawa 12 Aug.. Shortly after that, Aug.14, the war was declared over.Thereafter she shuttled cargo,

Decommissioning and sale

The USS Montague was decommissioned on 22 November 1955, was berthed at Mare Island, California as a unit of the Pacific Reserve Fleet and was transferred to the Maritime Administration on 29 January 1960. Berthed as a unit of the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Olympia, Washington, the ship was sold for scrapping on 12 March 1971 to the West Waterway Lumber Company.

Awards

Montague received five for Korean and Southeast Asia service.