USS Tinian (CVE-123)

Constructed in Tacoma, Washington in March 1945, the USS Tinian was an 11,400-ton Commencement Bay-class escort carrier that accepted by the Navy in July 1946. The USS Tinian was named for a small island the Japanese were granted by the League of Nations following WWI. In WWII, the island of Tinian was the location of a fierce battle between U.S. troops and Japanese forces.

Despite being in the service of the Navy for more than 20 years, the USS Tinian – like the USS Rabaul – would never be ordered into service. Instead, both vessels had a career that merely consisted of reclassifications and reassignments to various fleets.

Reclassification & Fleet Assignments

In her early years, the USS Tinian was classified as a CVE-123 and remained in reserve with the 19^th Fleet, part of the Pacific Reserve Fleet, in Tacoma, Washington. Nearly a decade later in June 1955, the Navy reclassified the USS Tinian to CVHE-123, deeming her a helicopter carrier. A few years thereafter in 1958, the USS Tinian was towed to San Diego, California (specifically the South Tee Pier), where it would carry out the course of its service to the Navy.

The following year, 1959, the USS Tinian was reclassified for the final time, making her a cargo ship and aircraft ferry (AKV-123).

Decommission & Sale

For more than a decade, the USS Tinian would retain its distinction as an AKV-123 and she would stay in San Diego. However, in June 1970, the Navy struck the USS Tinian from its official Naval Vessel Registrar. The following year, she was sold for scrapping to Levin Metals Company.