The USS Navajo (AT-64) was an oceangoing fleet tug built for the United States Navy, serving as the lead vessel of her class, which was originally called the Navajo-class but later renamed the Cherokee-class. Constructed by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Staten Island, New York, she was laid down on December 12, 1938, launched on August 17, 1939, and commissioned on January 26, 1940. The ship was named after the Navajo people and was designed to perform towing, salvage, and support operations across the Pacific theater. After her commissioning, the Navajo completed shakedown training and then joined the Pacific Fleet's Base Force, later known as the Service Force. Her early service involved towing and salvage operations in the central and eastern Pacific, including the waters around Pearl Harbor. During this period, she was involved in resupply missions, including a notable effort to salvage the grounded troop ship SS President Taylor at Canton Island. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Navajo played a vital role in supporting Allied operations in the Solomon Islands. She arrived at the New Hebrides shortly after the Guadalcanal landings and provided repair and salvage services at various locations, including Espiritu Santo, Nouméa, Tongatapu, and Suva. She was also active in rescue operations, notably saving 440 survivors from the troop transport President Coolidge after it struck mines at Espíritu Santo in October 1942. Her towing missions extended throughout the South Pacific, including a notable attempt to tow the damaged heavy cruiser USS Chicago during the Battle of Rennell Island in January 1943, which was unsuccessful, but she successfully towed the destroyer USS La Vallette to safety. In 1943, she returned to California for overhaul and later resumed operations in the South Pacific. On September 12, 1943, while en route to Espiritu Santo, she was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-39. The attack caused her to list heavily and rapidly sink, resulting in the loss of 17 crew members. Despite her brief but active service, USS Navajo's contributions to salvage and rescue operations in the Pacific made her a significant vessel in wartime support efforts.

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