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In alignment with the mandate from the President and the Secretary of Defense to restore the warrior ethos to the military, the Secretary of the Navy has renamed the John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206) to the USNS Oscar V. Peterson (T-AO 206). USNS Oscar V. Peterson (T-AO 206) honors U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Oscar Verner Peterson, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty during World War II.
Peterson was born on August 27, 1899, in the small town of Prentice, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on December 8, 1920, and over two decades at sea, rose to the rank of chief water tender. At the time of his final act of courage, he was assigned to USS Neosho, a fast fleet oiler that sustained American warships in the midst of heavy battle.
On May 7, 1942, during the Battle of Coral Sea, Japanese dive bombers struck Neosho, setting her ablaze. Peterson, wounded and lacking assistance, manually closed four bulkhead steam line valves to keep the ship operational. In so doing, he suffered third-degree burns on his face, arms, shoulders and hands. He died six days later from his injuries and was buried at sea, leaving behind his wife Lola and two sons Fred and Donald. His actions helped keep the oiler afloat for another four days, saving the lives of 123 of his shipmates who were later rescued. For his act of profound courage, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Today, the Navy will carry forward his legacy by naming a John Lewis-class oiler in his honor. This vessel will quietly and powerfully sustain those on the front lines, like Peterson himself.
General Characteristics John Lewis-class oilers are operated by Military Sealift Command and are designed to provide diesel fuel and lubricating oil and small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions, stores and potable water to U.S. Navy ships at sea, as well as jet fuel for aircraft. The oilers can carry a load of 162,000 barrels of oil and maintain significant dry cargo capacity.
Launch and Christening: Nov 2021
Ship Delivery: July 2023 First Sail Date: March 2024 Length: 745.7 feet (227.3 meters) Beam: 105.6 feet (32.2 meters) Load: 7,520,731.9 gallons of fuel, fresh water, and other supplies Speed: 20 knots (23 mph) Crew Today: 125-129 Merchant Mariners (CIVMARS) Additional resources https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2222909/fleet-replenishment-oilers-t-ao/ https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files
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