The USS Orestes (AGP-10) was a motor torpedo boat tender constructed during World War II, originally laid down as the landing ship tank USS LST–135 at the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company in Seneca, Illinois, on July 8, 1943. She was launched on November 16, 1943, and was sponsored by Mrs. Bernard Sharp. Before her completion, she was converted into a motor torpedo boat tender at the Maryland Drydock Company in Baltimore, Maryland, and was officially commissioned as USS Orestes (AGP-10) on April 25, 1944. Following her shakedown cruise out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, in May 1944, Orestes prepared for service in the Pacific theater. She departed Chesapeake Bay on June 5, 1944, transiting the Panama Canal en route to the South Pacific, with stops at Bora Bora and subsequent operations in New Guinea. She began her tender duties at Aitape on August 23, 1944, later transferring to Mios Woendi, and by November 12, 1944, she had joined General MacArthur’s forces for the Philippines invasion at Leyte. During her time in the Philippines, she engaged in combat operations, including defending against Japanese air attacks, and her gunners achieved confirmed kills of two Mitsubishi Zero fighters on November 24, 1944. Orestes experienced a significant attack on December 30, 1944, when a Japanese Aichi D3A "Val" dive bomber crashed into her amidships, causing severe damage and resulting in the death of 45 crew members. During the rescue efforts, Lieutenant Thomas A. Dent was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism after rescuing approximately 70 crew from the burning vessel and 15 from the sea. The ship was eventually beached and later towed back to Leyte for temporary repairs. After repairs, Orestes returned to the United States, arriving at Terminal Island, California, in May 1945, where she underwent extensive overhaul, totaling over 202,500 man-hours. She was redeployed to the Pacific in August 1945, but by the time she arrived in the Philippines, World War II had ended with Japan’s surrender. She served briefly under the Commander Motor Torpedo Boats, Philippine Sea Frontier, until December 1945, then sailed back to California in February 1946. Decommissioned in April 1946, she was struck from the Navy List in 1947 and sold for scrapping in 1948. Throughout her service, USS Orestes earned two battle stars for her participation in World War II, marking her significant contribution as a motor torpedo boat tender in the Pacific theater.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.