The USS Tacoma (PG-111/PF-3) was the lead ship of the Tacoma-class patrol frigates built for the United States Navy during World War II. Constructed at Permanente Metals Richmond Shipyard #4 in Richmond, California, she was laid down on 10 March 1943 under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull No. 1421). Originally designated as a patrol gunboat (PG-111), she was reclassified as a patrol frigate (PF-3) on 15 April 1943 and named Tacoma on 5 May 1943. She was launched on 7 July 1943, sponsored by Mrs. A. R. Bergersen, and commissioned on 6 November 1943. Following her shakedown off California in December 1943, Tacoma served primarily as a training ship for patrol frigate crews until June 1944. Afterward, she was assigned to Alaskan waters, conducting anti-submarine patrols and escorting supply ships along the Aleutian chain, visiting ports such as Attu, Adak, and Dutch Harbor. She encountered operational difficulties, including unsuccessful trials and a boiler room fire, delaying her deployment until October 1944. In 1945, Tacoma was selected for transfer to the Soviet Navy under Project Hula, a secret program to lend ships to the USSR as the war against Japan neared its end. She arrived at Cold Bay in July 1945 for Soviet crew training, was decommissioned from US service on 16 August 1945, and transferred to the USSR, where she was renamed EK-11 and served as a patrol vessel in the Soviet Far East. After diplomatic negotiations, EK-11 was returned to the US Navy in October 1949. She was placed in reserve at Yokosuka, Japan, until the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, when she was reactivated and recommissioned on 1 December 1950. During her service in the Korean War, Tacoma operated as part of the United Nations Blockade and Escort Squadron, participating in bombardments, patrols, and amphibious landings along the Korean coast. She supported operations at Wonsan and engaged in shore bombardments and patrols until her decommissioning from US service in 1951. Subsequently, Tacoma was transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy, where she served as ROKS Taedong (PF-63) until her decommissioning in 1973. She was then returned to the US Navy, struck from the Navy list, and donated as a museum and training ship to South Korea. Throughout her service, USS Tacoma earned three battle stars for her contributions during the Korean War, marking her as a vessel of notable operational service and international cooperation during World War II and the Korean conflict.

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