The USS Orca (AVP-49) was a United States Navy seaplane tender constructed during World War II, serving from 1944 to 1947 and again from 1951 to 1960. She was laid down on July 13, 1942, at Houghton, Washington, by Lake Washington Shipyard, launched on October 4, 1942, and commissioned on January 23, 1944. The vessel was built to support naval air operations, particularly seaplane squadrons engaged in reconnaissance, bombing, and rescue missions. Following her shakedown off San Diego, Orca proceeded to Pearl Harbor, escorting the USS Fanshaw Bay. She was deployed to Dutch New Guinea, where she supported seaplane squadrons conducting night bombing and reconnaissance missions against Japanese targets. Her "Black Cat" squadrons utilized Martin PBM Mariner flying boats painted black for covert night operations, which inflicted significant damage on Japanese shipping. Orca’s efforts earned her the Presidential Unit Citation, and her commanding officer received the Legion of Merit. Throughout her service, Orca participated in critical operations in the Philippines, including rescue missions in Ormoc Bay, where her seaplanes rescued 167 survivors from the USS Cooper. She was attacked multiple times by Japanese aircraft, including kamikaze attacks that slightly damaged her and resulted in casualties. Her service earned three battle stars for World War II. Post-war, Orca contributed to the occupation of Japan and supported Operation Crossroads, the atomic tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. She was decommissioned in 1947 but was recommissioned in 1951, serving in the Western Pacific and the U.S. Pacific Fleet. During her later years, she operated out of San Diego, weathered typhoons, and earned the Yellow "E" for excellence in her Air Department. In 1962, she was loaned to Ethiopia, where she served as the training ship Ethiopia (A-01) until her sale for scrap in 1993. She was the largest ship of the Ethiopian Navy during her service and survived the Eritrean War of Independence by fleeing to Yemen in 1991, after which she was no longer operational. Her maritime significance lies in her versatile service during WWII, her role in key Pacific campaigns, and her later international naval 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.