USS Sentry (AM-299)

USS Sentry (AM-299) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters. She served in the Pacific Ocean and, because of her valiant efforts in combat, her proud crew returned home with six battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation and a Presidential Unit Citation.

"Sentry" was laid down on 16 May 1943 by the Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Co., Seattle, Washington; launched on 15 August 1943 sponsored by Miss Nanette L. Pratt, and commissioned on 30 May 1944, Lt. Thomas R. Fonick in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

After shakedown, "Sentry" sailed from San Francisco, California, on 28 August 1944 and joined the U.S. 7th Fleet at Manus on 6 October for the Leyte invasion. She arrived off the Leyte beaches on 17 October and carried out a three-day pre-invasion sweep. She continued sweeping during and after the initial landings on 20 October until joining the transports on 24 October to provide antiaircraft support.

Supporting the invasion of the Philippines

"Sentry" remained in Leyte Gulf for the next six weeks then participated in most of the subsequent landings in the Philippines. With her division, Mine Division 34 she carried out pre-invasion sweeps at Ormoc Bay on 6 December 1944, Mindoro Island on 14 December Lingayen Gulf on 6 January 1945, and Zambales and Subic Bay on 29-31 January. For all but the Ormoc landings, she remained on the scene after the initial troop landings, helping extend the mineswept areas and providing antisubmarine and antiaircraft protection to the transports. Few mines were encountered, but kamikaze resistance was intense, and the ships saw much antiaircraft action.

Fired on by Japanese shore batteries

On 13 February, "Sentry" and her division began pre-invasion sweeps in Manila Bay in preparation for the landings at Mariveles and Corregidor. While sweeping off Corregidor on the 14th, the minesweepers came within 5,000 yards of the island and were repeatedly straddled by Japanese fire before supporting ships silenced the enemy's guns. "Sentry" continued sweeping in Manila Bay through 19 February, and her division earned a Navy Unit Commendation for the operation.

During the next two and one-half months, "Sentry" carried out various local sweeps in support of mop-up operations in the Philippines, the most notable being a pre-assault sweep for the landings at Legaspi, Luzon on 1 April, and an 8-day sweep in the Sulu Sea off Palawan beginning on 22 April. On 9 May, the ship arrived at Morotai to prepare for operations in the Netherlands East Indies.

Supporting Brunei Bay invasion

Between 7 and 18 June, "Sentry" supported the landings at Brunei Bay, Borneo; and, between 22 June and 15 July, she helped clear the way for the assault at Balikpapan. During both operations, the minesweepers came under fire from shore batteries; and one ship, USS|Salute|AM-294, was sunk by a mine on 8 June. "Sentry's" task unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for its service off Borneo between 15 June and 1 July 1945.

End-of-war activity

After overhaul at Subic Bay, "Sentry" departed the Philippines on 8 September and arrived at Sasebo Japan, on 20 October, having accepted the surrender of the Japanese army garrison of Shan Zaki in the Ryukyus while en route. In the following weeks, she swept Japanese minefields in the Ryukyus, the Tsushima Strait, and the Van Diemen Strait. She sailed from Sasebo on 9 December for the United States.

Post-war decommissioning

Arriving at Orange, Texas, on 2 April 1946, she was decommissioned there on 19 June 1946 and placed in reserve. Her classification was changed from AM-299 to MSF-299, effective 7 February 1955. "Sentry" was struck from the Navy list on 1 February 1962 and transferred to the Republic of Vietnam on 31 August 1962 as Ky Hoa (HQ-09).

Awards

In addition to her six battle stars for World War II service, "Sentry" was also awarded a Navy Unit Commendation and a Presidential Unit Citation.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II
* Patrol boat
* Minelayer
* Minesweeper

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02299.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Sentry (MSF 299) - ex-AM-299]