The USS Prime (AM-279) was an Admirable-class minesweeper constructed during World War II. Laid down on September 15, 1943, by Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation in Chickasaw, Alabama, she was launched on January 22, 1944, with Mrs. L. W. Thompson serving as sponsor. The vessel was officially commissioned on September 12, 1944, entering service with the U.S. Navy. Following her shakedown cruise off the East Coast, USS Prime reported for duty with the Service Force Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia, on December 1, 1944. Her early service included operations off Bermuda and along the U.S. East Coast. In July 1945, she arrived at the Panama Canal Zone and subsequently transferred to the Pacific Fleet, reporting for duty on July 12, 1945. During her time in the Pacific, she was stationed at Okinawa in September, where she was assigned to the Reserve Fleet, indicating a reduction in active operational status. In March 1946, USS Prime's assignment was changed from the 19th Fleet to the U.S. 16th Fleet, and she was subsequently marked as expendable. She was decommissioned on May 29, 1946, and shortly thereafter sold to China, where she was renamed Yung Feng (MMC-50). She served with the Republic of China Navy until she was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register on May 1, 1973. Her ultimate fate remains unknown. Throughout her brief but active service, USS Prime exemplified the wartime construction and deployment of minesweepers, contributing to Allied naval operations in both Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II. Her transfer to China reflects post-war military asset redistribution, underscoring her maritime significance as part of the broader U.S. Navy's wartime and postwar 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.