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Mission De Pala
See also : Construction photo "Mission De Pala"

T2-SE-A2
Mission Buenaventura Class Fleet Oiler:
 
"Mission De Pala".
s
 ex Mission De Pala (AO-114), during conversion at Quincy, MA. shipyard to a Missile Range
Instrumentation Ship.
 
ex Mission De Pala (AO-114), nearing completion at Quincy, MA. shipyard to Missile Range
Instrumentation Ship USNS Johnstown (T-AGM-20)
 
Redstone (T-AGM-20) underway, date and place unknown.
 
Redstone (T-AGM-20) moored pierside, date and place unknown.
US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, October 1982.

MISSION DE PALA, T2-SE-A2
History :
Built by Marinship Co., Sausalito, California.
Yardnumber 37. UMSC No. 1280. Off. nr. 245359.
Keel laid 26-11-1943. Launched 28-02-1944. Completed 22-04-1944. Gr. 10448 t., Net. 6423 t., Dw. 16613 t. L.o.a. 159,57 m., Br. 20,78 m., Dr. 8,99 m. Engine: 2 steam turbines, manufactured by General Electric Company, Lynn, Massachussetts. 10000 B.h.p., 7356 kW. Speed 15 knots. 26 Tanks.
History:
MISSION DE PALA-1944 Delivered to the Maritime Commission, 22 April and chartered to Pacific Tankers, Inc for operations.
MISSION DE PALA-1946 Returned to the Maritime Commission, 28 May, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Mobile, AL.
AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1947 Acquired by the Navy 22 October, designated Mission De Pala (AO-114) and placed in service by the Naval Transportation Service
T-AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1949 Administrative transfer to MSTS, 1 October and placed in service as USNS Mission De Pala (T-AO-114).
T-AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1949 Place out of service and returned to the Maritime Commission, 23 December, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Orange, TX.
T-AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1950 Reacquired by the Navy, and placed in service with MSTS, 21 July 1950.
T-AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1954 Placed out of service and returned to the Maritime Administration, 15 November, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA.
T-AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1955 Struck from the Naval Register, 22 June 1955.
T-AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1956 Reacquired by the Navy, 6 July 1956, and placed in service with MSTS, operated under charter by Marine Transport Lines, Inc.
T-AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1958 Placed out of service 13 March and returned to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Orange, TX. Struck from the Naval Register, 13 March 1958
T-AO-114 MISSION DE PALA-1964 Reacquired by the Navy, 19 September, for conversion to a Vanguard Class Range Instrumentation Ship at General Dynamics Co., Quincy, MA. (midbody replaced and lengthened, old midbody transferred to s/tank VIRGINIA TRADER).
AGM-20 JOHNSTONE-1965 Renamed and redesignated Johnstown (AGM-20), 8 April, for United States Air Force, Beaumont, Texas, USA.
T-AGM 20 REDSTONE-1966 renamed for United States Air Force, Beaumont, Texas, USA.
T-AGM 20 REDSTONE-1993 Placed out of service, 6 August. Struck from the Naval Register, 7 December.
Additional Reports :
Reported Johnstown lengthened, & widened ans converted into Missile Range Tracking vessel in 1965, delivered Jun. 1966.
New dimensions 181.5 / 175.3 x 22.9 m.
Reported Redstone laid up in National Defense Reserve Fleet in James River, Fort Eustis, Virginia s1993.
Reported Redstone sold for scrapping, 30 January 1995.

SS Mission De Pala, T-2 Tanker, hull # 37, keel laid 11/26/43, launched Feb 28, 1944 Sponsor: Mrs. Francis D. Malone, wife of Plant Divison employee; Matron of Honor: Joy Farrens, welder leaderman. In USMC Reserve Fleet in October, 1960. One of 3 tankers built at the Marinship that was used for tracking, monitoring the Apollo Project 1970. All were renamed twice, but not clear which name goes with which.