USS PC-1603 was a United States Navy submarine chaser active during World War II, originally built as an Adroit-class minesweeper named USS Force (AM-99). Laid down on November 19, 1941, by Penn-Jersey Corp. in Camden, New Jersey, the vessel was launched on September 7, 1942, and commissioned on June 16, 1943. Initially classified as an minesweeper, she was reclassified as PC-1603, a submarine chaser, on June 1, 1944, reflecting her new role in anti-submarine warfare. Constructed with a standard hull for small, agile warships, PC-1603 was designed to detect and destroy enemy submarines and provide escort duties in the Pacific theater. During her service, she took part in major operations including the landings at Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa, earning three battle stars for her participation in these campaigns. Her operational history highlights her contribution to the Allied efforts to secure the Pacific islands from Japanese forces. A notable and tragic event in her service occurred on May 26, 1945, while anchored in Kimmu Wan, Okinawa. She was struck by two Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony" kamikaze aircraft. The first hit the bow at the waterline, while the second struck at deck level. The kamikaze attack resulted in three fatalities and 15 injuries, mostly burns, underscoring the intense dangers faced by vessels operating in the Okinawa campaign. Following the attack, PC-1603 was decommissioned on June 21, 1945, and towed to the ship graveyard at Kerama Retto. Her hulk was ordered to be destroyed on October 24, 1945, but the hull was repurposed for constructing a breakwater or dock and was officially donated to the Government of the Ryukyu Islands on July 10, 1957. The vessel’s service and sacrifice exemplify the critical role played by smaller naval vessels in the Pacific War and their enduring maritime legacy.

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