Ships of Pearl Harbor: USS Rigel

Ships of Pearl Harbor: USS Rigel was originally built as a civilian cargo ship but found new life in the U.S. Navy. Commissioned on February 24, 1922, as an Altair-class destroyer tender, USS Rigel (AD-13/ARb-1/AR-11) was named after the brightest star in the Orion constellation. For nearly two decades, her home port remained San Diego, California, until the winds of war led her to Pearl Harbor in 1941.

In April 1941, USS Rigel was reassigned as a repair ship, a critical role as tensions escalated between the United States and Japan. She sailed to Bremerton, Washington, for an extensive overhaul before heading to Pearl Harbor in July for additional modifications. By December 7, 1941, Rigel was still in the shipyard, undergoing upgrades when the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor unfolded.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a devastating moment in U.S. history, with battleships and aircraft carriers bearing the brunt of the destruction. Despite being unarmed at the time, USS Rigel escaped with minimal damage compared to other vessels. However, with no mounted guns to defend herself, the ship’s crew could do little but watch as Japanese bombers rained destruction on the harbor.

Rather than standing idly by, Rigel’s crew leaped into action, assisting in rescue and salvage operations. Sailors worked tirelessly to save trapped men, battle fires, and prevent further losses. Though Rigel herself was not a frontline battleship, her presence during this tragic day became an essential part of the collective effort to withstand the attack.

With repairs completed by April 1942, USS Rigel was finally ready for war. Now equipped with four 3-inch mounted guns, she set sail for the South Pacific. Her first stop was Fanning Island, where she transported American troops and took on members of the New Zealand Pacific Island Force. Over the next six months, she served in New Zealand before being reassigned to assist U.S. forces in the Guadalcanal Campaign, one of the most pivotal battles of the Pacific War.

In early 1943, Rigel was ordered to Efate before moving to New Guinea, where she joined the 7th Amphibious Force. By June, she arrived at Milne Bay, a strategic location for the Pacific fleet. From here, she provided critical repairs to battleships, cruisers, and tankers. Her role in keeping the U.S. Navy’s fleet operational was vital to the war effort.

For the remainder of 1943, USS Rigel played a crucial role in maintaining the strength of Allied naval forces. She supported successful landings at Arawe, New Britain, and Cape Gloucester, further pushing back Japanese forces. Throughout 1944, Rigel followed the frontline, moving up the coast of New Guinea as the U.S. military gained ground in the Pacific.

In August 1944, USS Rigel shifted her course and made her way to Australia, providing further repair and support to Allied forces. By January 15, 1945, she anchored at Leyte Gulf in San Pedro Bay, which would serve as her home base until the war’s end.

After the war, USS Rigel returned to the United States, where she was decommissioned on July 11, 1946. Though her service had ended, her impact on the U.S. Navy’s success in the Pacific Theater remained undeniable. For her wartime contributions, Rigel earned four battle stars, cementing her legacy as a crucial support vessel during World War II.

While the USS Rigel may not be as famous as the battleships that dominated the headlines of Pearl Harbor, her role in the war was invaluable. From providing emergency assistance during the attack to serving as a repair hub for Allied forces in the Pacific, Rigel’s legacy stands as a testament to the importance of support vessels in wartime success. Her journey—from a civilian cargo ship to a vital wartime asset—exemplifies the adaptability and resilience of the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Today, as we remember the Ships of Pearl Harbor, the story of USS Rigel serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication and sacrifice of the men who served aboard her. Though she may not have fired a shot on December 7, 1941, her contribution to the war effort was immeasurable, proving that victory is not just won by those on the front lines but also by those working tirelessly behind them.