USS Mataco

USS Mataco (AT-86/ATF-86) was a Navajo-class fleet tug constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. Her purpose was to aid ships, usually by towing, on the high seas or in combat or post-combat areas, plus "other duties as assigned." She served in the Pacific Ocean and was awarded five battle stars for World War II, four battle stars for the Korean War, and seven campaign stars for Vietnam War service.

Mataco was laid down on 27 June 1942 by United Engineering Co., San Francisco, California; launched on 14 October 1942, sponsored by Miss Evelyn B. Piper; and commissioned on 29 May 1943.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

Following shakedown off San Diego, California, Mataco early proved her endurance when she towed a floating drydock 43 days nonstop from San Francisco to Brisbane, Australia, arriving on 1 October 1943. This passage accounted for 6,800 of 55,000 miles steamed her first year.

Salvage in combat areas

Mataco underwent her first air attack in the Ellice Islands on 17 November, and three days later stood by to aid ships invading the Gilberts. Training and target towing in Hawaiian waters preceded her joining task force TF 53 for the invasion of the Marshalls. She stood off Kwajalein on 31 January 1944 to screen transports, free beached landing craft, and send her divers to recover documents from sunken Japanese ships. Mataco was redesignated ATF-86 on 15 May. She carried out escort and towing missions in the Marshalls and to the Gilberts, Marianas, and Pearl Harbor until 3 December, when Ulithi became her base for the next six months.

Missed by a torpedo

In January 1945 she carried out a major salvage assignment at Leyte, in February she made a tow to Saipan and Guam, and in April she joined the assault on Okinawa.