USS Token (AM-126)

USS Token (AM-126) was an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

Token (was laid down on 21 July 1941 at Chickasaw, Alabama, by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp.; launched on 28 March 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Charles Hunt Ross; and commissioned on 31 December 1942, Lt. Comdr. William H. Harrison, USNR, in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

After shakedown cruises off the Florida coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, the new minesweeper steamed from Miami on 2 April 1943; transited the Panama Canal; and arrived at San Francisco on 1 May. Following training and escort duty in western coastal waters, she departed San Francisco on 28 August for the New Hebrides. From October until the following June, Token escorted convoys between Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal. Late in June, she proceeded via Florida Island to Sydney, Australia. A severe vibration developed en route, and Token's stay in Sydney was prolonged for the replacement of bent and damaged propeller blades. She departed Sydney on 30 July 1944 and proceeded to the Solomons, where she spent the month of August conducting exercises and undergoing additional repairs.

Leyte Gulf minesweeping

In September, Token engaged in minesweeping in the Palau and Ulithi groups before proceeding to Manus where the U.S. 7th Fleet was concentrating for the invasion of Leyte. On 17 October, while conducting minesweeping operations en route to Leyte, Token was caught in a typhoon which caused her some minor damage. Following two days of minesweeping in Leyte Gulf, Token anchored in the south transport area off Leyte on 24 October. The next day, Token scored several hits on an enemy aircraft and rescued a downed flier from Sangamon (CVE-26). Heavy air activity continued until Token got underway for the Admiralties arriving at Manus on 5 November.

Overhaul in the States

Token steamed from Manus on 14 November and proceeded via Pearl Harbor and San Francisco, California to Portland, Oregon, where she underwent major overhaul. On 13 April, Token departed the U.S. West Coast for Pearl Harbor where she resumed escort duty.

Final Pacific Theatre operations

Arriving off Okinawa on 20 May 1945, at a time of mass kamikaze attacks, Token experienced her first of many days of enemy air activity. While performing screening activities on the 28th, Token rescued and captured two survivors from a splashed Japanese plane. After repairs at Kerama Retto in June, she swept waters off Okinawa, in the East China Sea, and in Tokyo Bay.

The USS Token was the second surface vessel to enter Tokyo Bay, on 02SEP45, following the USS Revenge AM-110 to sweep the harbor prior to the USS Missouri BB-62 entering and the signing of the surrender document by Japan. Recollection by Chief Quartermaster John G. Montgomery (4-21-1925 to 5-7-2008), Quartermaster upon the USS Token entering Tokyo Harbor.

In the following months, Token continued sweeps of formerly contested waters off the Pescadores and China before steaming—via Sasebo, Kyūshū, and Pearl Harbor to Charleston, South Carolina.

First decommissioning

She then operated off the east coast of the United States until finally berthing in June 1947 at Orange, Texas, where she was assigned to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group, and placed out of commission on 6 January 1948.

Atlantic Ocean operations

Recommissioned on 12 April 1951, Token participated in training exercises off Charleston, South Carolina, in company with Mine Squadron 8, Mine Force, Atlantic Fleet. Departing from Charleston in August, Token headed for the Mediterranean and touched at Gibraltar, Istanbul, Naples, Italy, and Seville before returning to Charleston on 7 February 1953.

Final decommissioning

She operated off the Atlantic and U.S. Gulf Coasts before being inactivated and decommissioned again on 16 April 1954. Token was reclassified a steel-hulled fleet minesweeper on 7 February 1955 and redesignated MSF-126. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 1 December 1966.

Awards

Token received four battle stars during her participation in World War II.

References

See also

• List of United States Navy ships
• Auk class minesweeper
• World War II
• Minesweeper (ship)
• Minesweeping

External links

• Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
• NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Token (MSF 126) - ex-AM-126
• Allied Ships Present in Tokyo Bay During the Surrender Ceremony, 2 September 1945
• Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-126 USS Token
• uboat.net - Allied Warships - Minesweeper USS Token of the Auk class
• The Silent Defenders