2008-12-10T22:39:14Z 1983-01-29T00:00:00Z PLATTE derives her name from the Platte river. The river has its origins in two branches which form in the Rocky Mountains. The North Platte flows out of the mountains in Wyoming while the South Platte starts in the Colorado section of the Rockies. These two branches join in Western Nebraska to empty into the Missouri at the Nebraska-Iowa border. While not a large river, the Platte played a key position in our country’s development. Beaver trappers for years worked the river to bring to the entire world the beaver top hat. The Oregon Trail followed the banks of the river for hundreds of miles. Water from the Platte provided irrigation necessary for the sugar industry from which sugar was extracted with the pulp being used to feed the infant cattle feed lot industry. Today, the river still provides water for irrigation in Nebraska and Colorado. A previous fleet oiler, christened USS PLATTE (AO 24), was built by the Bethlehem Steel Company of Baltimore, Maryland and launched 8 July 1939. She had a very distinguished record of service during World War II serving in campaigns which included Norway, Guadalcanal, Okinawa, the Marianas, and the Philippine Islands. After the surrender of Japan, USS PLATTE remained in Tokyo Bay as the station oiler for occupation forces. PLATTE made almost yearly deployments to the western Pacific from 1954 to 1968, including extensive operations in Vietnamese waters and the refueling of the Enterprise Task Group off Korea during the USS PUEBLO crisis. She received 11 Battle Stars for service in World War II and 6 Battle Stars for Korean War Service. PLATTE continued to render distinguished service until 25 September 1970 when she was stricken from the Naval Register. At the time of decommissioning, USS PLATTE (AO 24) was the oldest active duty vessel in the U.S. Navy. The present USS PLATTE (AO 186) is the "Fifth and Finest" of the "Cimmaron" class fleet oilers. Commission on 29 January 1983, she has continued the proud tradition of her forerunner by providing superior service to the fleet, thereby serving her motto, "Excellence through Quality." Since her commissioning, USS PLATTE has participated in numerous fleet exercises and major battle group deployments. She was fully prepared when, in December 1990, she was called to serve in Operation Desert Shield. When Desert Shield turned to Desert Storm she steamed to the Arabian Gulf to supply fuel to the ships of the multinational defense force. Her tireless service in support of seven Navies assembled there earned her the honored title of: "The Preferred Oiler in the Persian Gulf." After completing over 100 underway replenishments in 70 days and spending 103 out of her first 106 days of deployment at sea, PLATTE provided support for Operation Provide Comfort off the coast of Turkey. She has been the recipient of the coveted "Battle Efficiency Award" for 1985 and 1986 consecutively, the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1986 and 1989, the Navy Unit Commendation in 1988 and 1991, the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Ship Award in 1990, National Defense Service Medal in 1991, the Southeast Asian Service Medal in 1991, and the Armed Forces Service Medal in 1994. 58 USS PLATTE 6 AO 186 2008-12-10T22:39:14Z 1