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USNS Watson (T-AKR-310)
Encyclopedia
USNS Watson (T-AKR-310) is one of Military Sealift Command
's nineteen Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off Ships and is part of the 33 ships in the Prepositioning Program. She is the lead ship
of her class
of vehicle cargo ships.
She was named for Private George Watson
, a Medal of Honor
recipient.
Laid down on 23 May 1996 and launched on 26 July 1997, Watson was put into service in the Pacific Ocean
on 23 June 1998.
Military Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
's nineteen Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off Ships and is part of the 33 ships in the Prepositioning Program. She is the lead ship
Lead ship
The lead ship or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable military ships and larger civilian craft.-Overview:...
of her class
Watson class vehicle cargo ship
The Watson class vehicle cargo ship is a class of vehicle cargo ships, used for prepositioning of Army vehicles. The class comprises eight of Military Sealift Command's nineteen Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off Ships and is part of the 33 ships in the Prepositioning Program.The lead ship of...
of vehicle cargo ships.
She was named for Private George Watson
George Watson (U.S. Army)
George Watson was a private in the United States Army who was killed in action during World War II. He was one of seven African American soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for their actions during World War II, and the only one of the seven to earn his medal while serving in the Pacific...
, a Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient.
Laid down on 23 May 1996 and launched on 26 July 1997, Watson was put into service in the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
on 23 June 1998.