The USS Minotaur (ARL-15) was an Achelous-class landing craft repair ship constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. Originally laid down as LST-645 by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company in Seneca, Illinois, on June 20, 1944, she was redesignated ARL-15 on August 14, 1944, and launched on September 20, 1944. After her launch, she was placed in ferry commission at Mobile, Alabama, to undergo conversion, and was officially commissioned as USS Minotaur on February 26, 1945. Constructed to serve as a repair vessel for landing craft, Minotaur was built with the capability to support amphibious operations. Following her shakedown in March 1945 at Panama City, Florida, she returned to Mobile to load steelplates and marine engines before heading to the Pacific Theater. She transited via the Marshall and Caroline Islands, arriving at Buckner Bay, Okinawa, on June 4, 1945, during the final stages of the Battle of Okinawa. She remained there through the end of World War II, providing repair services to landing craft engaged in the Pacific campaign. Post-war, Minotaur transported her repair facilities to Iwo Jima and made two voyages to Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands before returning home. She transited the Panama Canal in April 1946 and moored in New Orleans, later moving to Orange, Texas, where she joined the 16th Fleet. She was decommissioned on February 26, 1947. Reactivated during the Korean War, Minotaur was recommissioned on June 14, 1951, and assigned to Mine Squadron 8, based at Charleston, South Carolina. Her duties included repairing minesweepers and net layers, with periodic visits to various ports on the East Coast and Caribbean. She remained active until October 3, 1955, when she was decommissioned and loaned to South Korea, where she served as ROKS Duk Soo (ARL 1). Throughout her service, USS Minotaur earned one battle star for her World War II service, highlighting her contribution to the U.S. Navy’s amphibious operations during a critical period.

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