Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi

A city in Texas.

(PF-44: dp. 1 296, 1. 304'; b. 38', dr. 14', s. 20 k.;
cpl. 190; a. 2 3"; cl. Tacoma)

Corpus Christi (PF-44) was launched 17 August 1943 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Wilmington, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. C. Driseoll, commissioned 29 January 1944 at San Pedro, Calif., Commander W. W. Childress, USCG, in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

Corpus Christi cleared San Pedro 31 May 1944 for Noumea, Cairns, and Perth, Australia, arriving 18 July. Here she had duty aiding submarines in exercises and training under Commander, Submarines, 7th Fleet. Corpus Christi was twice commended for unusual accomplishments while under this command, first for locating and rescuing 92 survivors of the torpedoed SS Peter Silvester in the Indian Ocean 13 February 1945 after an extended search by all available ships of the United States and Australian Navies, and second, for refueling the British battleship HMS Howe at sea between 13 and 15 June.

Corpus Christi stood out of Perth 27 August 1945 for Manus, Pearl Harbor, and San Pedro, arriving 3 October. Here she was converted into a weather ship at Terminal Island. Corpus Christi was on loan to the Coast Guard from 15 April to 5 July 1946. She was decommissioned 2 August 1946 and sold 3 October 1947.