The USS Navajo (ATA-211), originally designated ATR-138, was an auxiliary ocean tug built for the United States Navy during World War II. Laid down on January 20, 1945, by the Gulfport Boiler & Welding Works in Port Arthur, Texas, she was launched on March 3, 1945, and commissioned at Port Arthur on May 3, 1945. The vessel's construction featured typical characteristics of auxiliary tugs of her era, designed for towing and salvage operations. Following her commissioning, ATA-211 underwent fitting out and shakedown off Galveston before reporting to the Naval Supply Depot in Gulfport, Mississippi. She then transited via the Panama Canal to San Diego, where she joined Service Squadron 2 in the Pacific theater. In July 1945, she towed AFL–23 and harbor tug YT–742 to Pearl Harbor, where she performed ready tug duties and relief towing services, including operations with the Waipie Salvage Dock. In October, she departed Pearl Harbor with fuel oil barge YO–12 and garbage lighter YG–28 in tow, heading to Yokosuka, Japan, arriving on October 24. Early November saw her returning to Pearl Harbor, after which she joined USS Nipmuc and USS Waterford for operations to San Diego. On December 27, 1945, she left San Diego to serve as a retriever tug for ATF–157, escorting her through the Panama Canal. Her post-war service was primarily concentrated in the 8th Naval District, providing towing services to ports including Mobile, Galveston, Pensacola, and Charleston, and assisting with offshore salvage operations. She was officially named Navajo on July 15, 1948. Decommissioned on April 10, 1962, and struck from the Navy List a month later, she was sold in 1963 to Twenty Grand Marine Service, Inc., Morgan City, Louisiana. Remarkably, as of 2016, the vessel continued her maritime career under the name Hyperion, operating in Honduras. The USS Navajo's service history underscores her vital role in post-World War II naval logistics, salvage, and towing operations, reflecting the versatility and enduring utility of auxiliary ships in the U.S. Navy.

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