The USS Mount Baker (AE-4), originally named USS Kilauea, was a US Navy ammunition ship commissioned on 16 May 1941. Built by Tampa Shipbuilding Co. as SS Surprise and later converted by Alabama Drydock & Shipbuilding Co. into a Type C2 vessel, she was designed to transport and supply ammunition to combat ships and bases. Her dimensions, armament, and specific tonnage are not detailed in the provided content, but her role as a vital logistics vessel is emphasized. Initially operating out of Norfolk from June 1941, Mount Baker served primarily along the east coast of the United States, the Caribbean, and in Newfoundland, providing essential ammunition support during World War II. She was renamed Mount Baker on 17 March 1943 to avoid confusion with another ship. During her wartime service, she supplied Allied forces in the Mediterranean, supporting operations in Oran, Algiers, Bizerte, and Palermo. In 1944, she participated in preparation for the Normandy invasion by supplying ships in the British Isles. Later, she served in the Pacific, notably at Ulithi from December 1944 to June 1945, where she also conducted experiments in at-sea replenishment with various warships. Post-World War II, Mount Baker was decommissioned in January 1947 and placed in reserve at San Diego. She was recommissioned in December 1951 due to the Korean War, providing ammunition support in the conflict zone until November 1952. During this period, she collided with the ROKS Apnok, resulting in significant damage to the Korean vessel. She continued to serve in the Pacific, supporting operations off Japan and in Korea, including during the armistice period in 1953. Throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s, Mount Baker made numerous deployments to the Far East, supporting U.S. naval operations during the Vietnam War, including providing ammunition to carriers and other fleet units off Vietnam. Her final deployment occurred in 1968-1969, after which she was decommissioned. Struck from the Naval Register in December 1969, she was transferred for scrapping in 1974. Mount Baker earned four battle stars for her service in Korea, exemplifying her critical logistical role during major conflicts.

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