USS Comfort (AH-6)

USS Comfort (AH-6) at Hollandia in 1945

USS Comfort (AH-6) was a United States Navy hospital ship that served during World War II. As part of the Haven-class hospital ships, USS Comfort was designed to offer medical and surgical care to the wounded directly from the battlefronts. Her role was crucial in saving lives and providing a floating medical facility where land-based hospitals were either overwhelmed or too distant. This article delves into the history, service, and legacy of USS Comfort (AH-6).

History

USS Comfort was commissioned in 1944, amidst the throes of World War II. She was one of the several Haven-class hospital ships, which were converted from existing cargo ships or tankers. These ships were painted white with large red crosses, to mark them as hospital ships under the Geneva Convention, which was supposed to protect them from enemy attack.

Service in World War II

During her service in World War II, USS Comfort participated in several key operations in the Pacific Theater. She provided medical support during the battles of Leyte Gulf, Okinawa, and others. The ship was equipped with operating rooms, recovery wards, and could accommodate up to 800 patients. Despite the protection afforded by the Geneva Convention, USS Comfort was not immune to the dangers of war. On April 28, 1945, while off the coast of Okinawa, she was struck by a Kamikaze attack, resulting in the loss of several lives among both the medical staff and patients aboard.

Post-War Service and Decommissioning

After the end of World War II, USS Comfort continued to serve the needs of military personnel and their dependents, participating in "Operation Magic Carpet," which was responsible for returning American military personnel back to the United States. She was decommissioned in 1946 and placed in the reserve fleet. Eventually, USS Comfort was struck from the Naval Register and sold for scrap in the early 1950s.

Legacy

The legacy of USS Comfort (AH-6) lives on in the continued use of hospital ships by the United States Navy, notably in the successors also named USS Comfort, which have served in various capacities, including providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The story of USS Comfort (AH-6) is a testament to the crucial role of medical services in wartime and the bravery and dedication of those who serve aboard hospital ships.

See Also

• Haven-class hospital ship
• Hospital ship
• United States Navy
• World War II