The USS Muskegon (PF-24) was a Tacoma-class frigate constructed during World War II, representing the first naval vessel named after the Michigan city of Muskegon. Originally authorized as PG-132, she was reclassified as PF-24 on 15 April 1943. The ship was laid down on 11 May 1943 by Walter Butler Shipbuilders Inc. in Superior, Wisconsin, and launched on 25 July 1943, with Mrs. David Hopkins serving as her sponsor. The vessel was acquired by the U.S. Navy and commissioned on 19 February 1944. Following a shakedown cruise to Bermuda, Muskegon proceeded to the Pacific theater via New York City and Philadelphia, where her engines underwent maintenance. After reaching Panama, she was ordered back to Boston for conversion into a weather ship. Once converted, she departed for NS Argentia, Newfoundland, arriving on 7 November 1944. She commenced her first patrol on 20 November, primarily serving as a plane guard and rescue ship, as well as relaying weather data crucial for trans-Atlantic operations. Her duties included escorting convoys into Boston, participating in anti-submarine operations, and transporting ammunition. In May 1945, Muskegon was stationed in the mid-Atlantic, where she combined her weather reporting role with duties as a radio and light ship supporting trans-Atlantic flights. She maintained this service until her decommissioning on 15 March 1946, the same day she was transferred to the United States Coast Guard, where she was recommissioned as USCG Muskegon (WPF-24). She was decommissioned by the Coast Guard on 27 August 1946 and subsequently returned to the Navy. In 1947, she was sold to the French Navy, where she was commissioned as Mermoz (F-14). Manned by French personnel and owned by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, she served as a weather ship until she was scrapped in the late 1950s. Throughout her service, USS Muskegon played a vital role in weather observation and maritime safety during and after World War II, extending her operational lifespan into international service.

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