USS Refuge

USS Refuge (AH-11) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, 20 April 1944

USS Refuge (AH-11) was a Haven-class hospital ship that served in the United States Navy during World War II. Originally laid down as the SS Blue Hen State, a Maritime Commission type C4 transport, she was acquired by the Navy and converted into a hospital ship, commissioned as USS Refuge in 1944. Throughout her service in World War II, the Korean War, and beyond, USS Refuge played a critical role in providing medical care to wounded soldiers, sailors, and marines.

Service History

USS Refuge was commissioned in 1944, amidst the height of World War II. Her primary mission was to provide medical support, including surgical and recovery services, to U.S. and allied forces. She was outfitted with operating rooms, recovery wards, and a complement of medical staff capable of handling a wide range of medical emergencies and procedures.

During World War II, USS Refuge served in both the Pacific Theater and the Atlantic Theater, participating in several key operations. After the war, she was decommissioned in 1946 but was reactivated for the Korean War in 1950. During this period, she again provided invaluable medical support, treating thousands of United Nations forces.

Following her service in the Korean War, USS Refuge continued to operate as a hospital ship until she was decommissioned for the final time in 1958. After her decommissioning, she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register and eventually scrapped.

Design and Features

As a Haven-class hospital ship, USS Refuge was designed with the latest medical facilities of the time. She had a displacement of approximately 15,000 tons and was equipped with a variety of medical equipment, including X-ray machines, surgical suites, and a pharmacy. The ship could accommodate over 800 patients and had a complement of Navy medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and corpsmen.

The design of the Haven-class ships emphasized the capacity to provide extensive medical care at sea, including major surgical operations. The ships were painted white with large red crosses, signifying their status as non-combatant hospital ships under the Geneva Convention.

Legacy

The USS Refuge's contributions to military medical care during World War II and the Korean War underscore the vital role of hospital ships in supporting armed forces during times of conflict. Her service helped to save countless lives and provided a floating sanctuary for the wounded and sick. The legacy of USS Refuge and her sister ships continues to influence the design and operation of modern naval hospital ships, such as the USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) and USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), which serve as integral components of the United States Navy's humanitarian and disaster response efforts.

See Also

• List of United States Navy hospital ships
• Haven-class hospital ship
• United States Navy
• World War II
• Korean War