The USS Ponaganset (AO-86/AOG-86) was a Suamico-class fleet oiler built on the T2-SE-A2 tanker hull type, constructed during World War II. Laid down on April 27, 1942, at Marinship in Sausalito, California, she was launched on July 10, 1943, and commissioned into the U.S. Navy on May 15, 1944. She was sponsored by Mrs. J.W. Fowler. As a fleet oiler, her primary role was to provide logistical support, particularly transporting potable water to various ships and bases across the Pacific theater. After shakedown off the U.S. West Coast, Ponaganset reported to the Pacific Fleet in June 1944. She arrived at Pearl Harbor in July and soon undertook water supply missions to key locations such as Eniwetok, Guadalcanal, Manus, Ulithi, Peleliu, Saipan, and Leyte. Her service was critical in addressing the logistical challenge of supplying fresh water to smaller vessels that lacked distillation capabilities, especially as the U.S. fleet advanced across the Pacific. She carried significant quantities of water—up to 90,000 barrels per voyage—and supplied various harbor craft, LSTs, LCIs, and patrol ships. Throughout her service, Ponaganset operated in support of major campaigns, including off Okinawa, and periodically visited ports such as Ulithi, Guam, and Leyte. She played an essential role in the logistical operations that sustained the Allied forces in the Pacific, contributing to the success of amphibious assaults and fleet operations. After the war, she continued operations in Japanese ports until she reached Wakayama in September 1945. She returned to the United States in early 1946, arriving in New York City in February. Decommissioned on April 26, 1946, Ponaganset was struck from the Navy List in April 1947. She suffered a notable fracture incident in Boston in December 1947, which was attributed to stress fractures caused by arc strikes on her steel structure. She was reacquired by the Navy in March 1948, transferred back to the Maritime Commission in June, and ultimately sold for scrap in January 1949 to the Northern Metal Company. During her service, USS Ponaganset earned two battle stars for her contributions during World War II, marking her as a vital logistical vessel in the Pacific theater.

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