The USS Rhea (AMS-52/YMS-299) was a YMS-1-class minesweeper of the YMS-135 subclass, constructed for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Built by William F. Stone & Sons Co. in Oakland, California, she was laid down on 5 June 1942, launched on 14 November 1942, and commissioned on 7 April 1943. The vessel featured a wooden hull, typical of minesweepers designed to minimize magnetic signatures and reduce the risk of detonating mines. Initially assigned as YMS-299, she served extensively across the Pacific Theater. After a shakedown period, she operated under the Hawaiian Sea Frontier until December 1943, when she proceeded to the Central Pacific. Her early service included sweeping operations near Makin, where she was damaged on 20 December while clearing approaches to Butaritari. She was temporarily repaired at Tarawa and Funafuti before returning to Makin in late February. Over the following months, she operated out of Kwajalein and Majuro, performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrols and escort duties throughout the Marshall Islands. In April 1945, YMS-299 arrived off Okinawa, participating in minesweeping and patrol operations around key areas such as Hagushi beaches, Kerama Retto, and Buckner Bay. Her operations extended to the Philippines and later to the East China Sea, among the Ryūkyūs and southern Japanese waters. She shifted bases multiple times, including Sasebo and Pusan, Korea, before returning to the United States in April 1946, arriving in San Francisco. Post-war, she was stationed in the U.S. for reserve training, converted to a training ship, and reclassified as Rhea (AMS-52) on 1 September 1947. She was recommissioned in November 1950, underwent extensive overhaul, and was based in Charleston, South Carolina, from 1952. Her duties included local exercises, Caribbean training, and serving as a schoolship for the Mine Warfare School at Yorktown, Virginia. She was reclassified MSC(O)-52 in 1956, decommissioned in December 1957, and struck from the Navy List in 1959. She was eventually sold in June 1960 and became the last minesweeper owned by a fisherman. Throughout her service, USS Rhea earned three battle stars for her participation in World War II. Her operational history highlights her role in mine clearance and support operations during critical Pacific campaigns, underscoring her significance in naval mine warfare during the war.

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