The USS Signet (AM-302) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the United States Navy during World War II. Constructed by Associated Shipbuilders in Harbor Island, Seattle, Washington, she was laid down on 8 April 1943, launched on 16 August 1943, and commissioned on 20 June 1944. The vessel measured approximately 184 feet in length with a beam of about 33 feet, designed for minesweeping and patrol duties, and equipped with armament suitable for anti-aircraft and surface engagements. During her service in World War II, USS Signet participated actively in the Pacific Theater. After fitting out and trials, she departed San Francisco escorting ships to Honolulu and made multiple voyages between Hawaii, Eniwetok, and San Francisco as an escort for supply ships. She played a significant role in the Mariana and Iwo Jima campaigns, arriving off Iwo Jima on 16 February 1945, just days before the assault. During her time there, she swept mines, screened transports, and supported the invasion effort, including rescuing a downed American pilot. Signet remained in the vicinity of Iwo Jima until early March, then moved to Ulithi Atoll for rest and resupply. In late March, she joined the Okinawa operation, arriving at Kerama Retto on 25 March. Over the next three months, she conducted minesweeping, patrol, and screening operations, also engaging enemy aircraft. Notably, on 7 April, her guns successfully shot down a Japanese Betty bomber approaching the fleet. She also participated in supporting stranded Allied personnel and supported landings at Iheya Shima. After Okinawa, she traveled to the Philippines and then returned to Okinawa, eventually contributing to minesweeping operations in the Yellow Sea and around Japan to facilitate occupation forces. USS Signet earned four battle stars for her wartime service and was decommissioned in December 1945, berthed at Orange, Texas, in reserve. She was reclassified as MSF-302 in 1955 but was not reactivated. In 1965, she was transferred to the Dominican Republic, renamed Tortuguero (BM455), and served as a patrol vessel. Her pennant number was changed to C455 in 1995, and she was stricken and hulled in 1997. USS Signet's service exemplifies the versatility and importance of minesweepers in the Pacific campaigns of World War II.

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