1940's

Lipan is an Auxiliary Fleet Tug and was built in Alameda, California in 1942 by United Engineering Company . Auxiliary pertains to its designation as a support ship rather than a ship designed for combat although with its initial armament including the 3" 50 Gunmount forward and twin 40mm guns on the 01 level aft and 20mm cannon's on each bridge wing she could hold her own. As is the case with United States Naval vessels, a class of ships is commonly named. Cruisers are usually named for Cities (USS Boston or USS Chicago for example), Battleships for states (USS Arizona & USS Massachusetts for example). There are exceptions to the rule. Fleet tugs were given Native American names and Lipan was named after a North American Tribe which was part of the Mescalero Apaches.

She was commissioned on April 29th, 1943. The purpose of a Fleet Tug is deep ocean towing and salvage operations. Additionally a tug will tow targets for other ships to practice their gunnery. The target is towed nearly a mile behind the ship on 1" thick wire cable while larger 2 1/2" wire cable was used for larger deep ocean tows. Lipan's crew consisted of at least five sailors who were qualified divers, in addition to their standard rating (Electricians mate, Gunners mate, Engineman, etc). She carried heavy "Beach Gear" which was a system of heavy cables, tackle, anchors, etc that allowed her to create great pulling advantages to free grounded vessels from the shore. The divers would temporarily patch the hull and then the vessel would be towed to a yard for repair.

Lipan initially reported to Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands of the Southern Pacific where she picked up war supplies and towed them to Guadalcanal. Lipan was then transferred to Guadalcanal and operated out of The Solomon Islands for the first half of 1944. She was scheduled to assist in the invasion of Guam but those plans were postponed by The Battle of The Philippine Sea. She supported the invasion of Saipan and later provided valuable tug servicesin Guam, Leyte and Okinawa. Returning to The United States after VJ-Day, she arrived at San Francisco on Christmas Day 1945 with her two earned battle stars.

As of 1 January 1946, Lipan was anchored in Anchorage #9, San Francisco Bay, where she remained until moving to the Moore Drydock Co., Oakland, on 4 February. On 22 Mar 46, she offloaded ammunition at the Naval Ammunition Depot (NAD) Mare Island, then entered Mare Island NSY the following day for an overhaul, which commenced on 25 March. She was drydocked in ARD-32 from 3 to 8 Apr 46, and remained at Mare Island NSY until departing on or about 20 May for Pearl Harbor, which she reached on the 27th. She spent the rest of the year in the western Pacific, making stops at Guam, Yap, and Palau, then returned to Guam, where she remained through the end of the year.

Lipan began the year at Guam, then proceeded to Pearl Harbor, where she arrived on 29 Jan 47. She remained at Pearl for the next several months; on 12 April, she intercepted a convoy off Oahu, and returned to base towing a floating drydock section. On 15 April, she escorted another convoy into Pearl Harbor, and departed for San Francisco on 22 April, as the escort vessel for "SCAJAP Convoy #3." This convoy consisted of a number of Japanese manned Liberty ships, which were towing a group of decommissioned cargo ships to the West Coast. The convoy arrived at Drake's Bay, north of San Francisco, on 7 May 47, and Lipan towed the ex-USS Luna (AKS-7) from Drake's Bay to San Francisco the following day. Between 14-16 May, Lipan towed the craneship AB-1 (ex-USS Kearsarge, BB-5) from San Francisco to San Pedro. She then proceeded from San Diego to Balboa, C.Z., during the period 27 May-14 Jun 47, towing the service craft APL-47 and YR-25. Following her return to San Diego, she conducted local operations, before moving to Bremerton, Wa., arriving on 23 August. After overhaul at Puget Sound NSY, she returned to San Diego, arriving 12 Nov 47. Departing the West Coast, Lipan arrived at Pearl on 6 December, and Kwajalein on the 25th. Stopping at Enewetok, she was en route to Guam as of 31 Dec 47.

As of 1 Jan 1949, Lipan was in port at San Diego. She towed YO-77 and YO-123 from Long Beach to Balboa, C.Z. during the period 10-26 February, and then proceeded from Balboa on 3 March, arriving at Pearl Harbor on the 25th. During April, she was underway to Guam via Midway and Wake Island, and arrived at Kwajalein on 4 May. Lipan departed on the 7th with YOG-64 and YW-94 in tow, and arrived at Pearl on the 19th. From 25 May-6 Jun 49, Lipan towed YOG-70 and YOG-76 from Pearl Harbor to Pier 90, Seattle. She then entered Puget Sound NSY for overhaul, where she remained until departing for Astoria, Or. on 18 Aug 49 with YF-314 in tow. Departing Astoria 20 August, Lipan arrived at San Diego on the 23rd. During October, she was underway for Pearl Harbor, arriving on the 28th, then made a trip to Wake Island, arriving back at Pearl on 26 November. Between 3-14 Dec 49, Lipan towed YFN-241, YFN-694 and YFN-274 from Pearl Harbor to San Francisco, and arrived at San Diego on the 15th, where she remained through the end of the year.