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| USN Barnegat Class Small Seaplane Tender 1,766 Tons 310' 9.5" x 41' 12' 5" 1 x 5" DP gun 1 x quad 40mm 2 x dual 40mm 4 x 20mm  USN December 15, 1943  USN December 27, 1943  USN November 10, 1944 |
Sinking History Built by Lake Washington Shipyard, Houghton, WA. Laid down July 23, 1941 as a Barnegat class small seaplane tender. Launched April 15, 1942 as USS Chincoteague (AVP-24). Commissioned April 12, 1943 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Commander I. E. Hobbs in command. Wartime History On July 14, 1943 a Japanese reconnaissance planes spot Chincoteague tending patrol planes in Saboe Bay off Vanikoro Island, in the Santa Cruz Islands, On July 16, 1943, in Saboe Bay bombed by Japanese bombers that fail to cause damage. On July 17, 1943 in Saboe Bay Japanese bombers again bomb Chincoteague causing damage and is left dead in the water and adrift. Afterwards, seaplane tender (destroyer) USS Thornton (AVD-11), high speed minesweeper USS Trever (DMS-18), and destroyer USS Jenkins (DD-447) render timely assistance to protect the crippled ship. The next day, destroyer USS Thornton arrives and took the ship under tow. Meanwhile, F4U Corsairs from VMF-214 took off from Turtle Bay Airfield to escort the ship, patrolling at 9,000' from 5:30pm until sunset, when only four pilots remained: Pace, Jack Petit, Dick Sigel, and Mac McCall. Aircraft were seen approaching from the north, and at first they were believed to be friendly PV-1 Venturas. In fact, they were G3M Nell bombers and the F4U Corsairs attacked, causing the bombers to release their bombs prematurely as their gunners fired from long range at the F4Us. Pace fired at one with a full deflection shot, and set it on fire and cause it to explode. Petit damaged another that escaped into a cloud. Awards USS Chincoteague earned six battle stars for her World War II service. Postwar Decommissioned on December 21, 1946 at Beaumont, Texas. Placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group. On March 7, 1949 loaned to the U.S. Coast Guard and recommissioned as USCGC Chincoteague (WAVP-375). Next, redesignated High Endurance Cutter (WHEC-375), 1 May 1966. Permanently transferred to the US Coast Guard, 26 September 1966. Decommissioned in June 1972. On June 21, 1972 transferred to South Vietnam and renamed RVNS Tran Binh Trong (HQ-5). Sold to the Philippines on April 5, 1976 and renamed RPS Andres Bonifacto (PF-7). Decommissioned in June 1985. Ultimate fate unknown. References NavSource - USS Chincoteague (AVP-24) Black Sheep One (2000) pages 128-130 Rescue of Chincoteague via Wayback Machine Contribute
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