The USS Betelgeuse (AK-260) was the last of the Greenville Victory-class cargo ships in service with the United States Navy. Originally launched as the SS Colombia Victory in May 1944 by the California Shipbuilding Company in Los Angeles, she was a Victory ship designed to carry cargo during World War II. She measured approximately 455 feet in length and was built to serve as a versatile cargo vessel, operated by various civilian companies such as the Grace Steamship Company, Waterman Steamship Corporation, and the Isthmian Steamship Company. During World War II, as SS Colombia Victory, she played a significant role in the Pacific theater, delivering ammunition and supplies to troops at critical battles, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. She was attacked multiple times in November 1944 during the Philippines campaign and participated in the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, earning battle stars. Her service extended into post-war operations, after which she was laid up in the reserve fleet in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1948. In 1951, she was purchased by the U.S. government and converted for Navy use, officially commissioning as USS Betelgeuse (AK-260) on 15 April 1952. As a Navy cargo ship, she primarily operated in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, transferring a wide array of cargo, including food, repair parts, and fuel, to support fleet operations. Notably, in 1960, she was modified to carry Polaris missiles and components, supporting the Fleet Ballistic Missile program, with later modifications enabling vertical stowage of up to 23 missiles. Her operational history includes resupply missions to Holy Loch, Scotland, and Rota, Spain, as well as involvement in submarine support and ballistic missile system testing. In 1967, she collided with the submarine Simon Bolivar, suffering extensive underwater hull damage but returning to service after repairs. She continued her support roles through the late 1960s and early 1970s, participating in operational tests, target services, and missile resupply missions. Decommissioned on 15 January 1971, Betelgeuse was subsequently used in experiments and was eventually sold for scrapping in 1975. Her service highlights her importance as a versatile cargo vessel supporting key naval and missile operations during the Cold War era.

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