Antique Old WWII USS CALIENTE American Navy Painted Oil Sign, SAIPAN 1940s

  
This is a very interesting and scarce Antique Old WWII USS CALIENTE American Navy Oil Painted Sign, oil paint on wood board. This sign likely dates to World War II or the Korean War, where this vessel served as fleet Oiler during some of the most important battles in the Pacific. The USS Caliente was invaluable to supporting the Allied forces during the Battle of Saipan, among others. This vessel received 10 battle stars in World War II, four in the Korean War and eight campaign stars for the Vietnam war. The crest of this vessel painted on the sign prominently depicts an oil derrick, along with a seahorse and sword.

A very important and unusual piece of American heritage, and a rare oil related WWII sign. Are painted on the back of the board, likely the artist who created the piece. Approximately 34 x 42 inches. Good condition for age, with some light warping, edge wear, scuffing and minor paint loss please see photos.

I have never seen anything similar to this piece. Acquired in Los Angeles County, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! The USS Caliente, and its crews, served in three wars as well as the peaceful times between them. This site provides provides an overview of its 30 years of service and also presents other Naval history and facts. In reviewing the Cal's 30 years of service and events that have happened over the almost 50 years that have passed since she was decommissioned we are reminded of how tenuous life and peace are. The USS Caliente (AO-53) (Cal) was a fleet auxiliary oiler that proudly served our country in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The Cal carried a crew varying in number between 200 and 300 and during her 30 years of service earned 14 battle stars and eight campaign ribbons. Laid down as a Maritime Commission type (T3 S2-A3) hull, under Maritime Commission contract, MC Hull 71g, at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, Sparrows, Maryland. Commissioned as the USS Caliente (AO-53) 12 October 1943.

Decommissioned 15 December 1973, Berth 63, Pier 6, U. Naval Shipyard, Long Beach, California.

Struck from the Naval Register 15 December 1973. Transferred to the Maritime Commission for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Final Disposition, disposed of by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) by sale to National Metal & Steel Corp, 691 New Dock St. USS Caliente received 10 battle stars during World War II, four battle stars during the Korean War and eight combat campaign ribbons during the Vietnam War. The cal aslo received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle Efficiency "E" and the green "C" for Communications Excellence.

Reference; a Department of the Navy Historical Center, Washington, Navy Yard, Washington, D. B Fleet Disposal Branch Division of Reserve Fleet Maritime Administration 8 April 1974. The Cal has a Close Encounter. The USS Caliente pulled into Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands and was about to take her assigned berth in the harbor.

When she approached the berth the USS Mississinewa (AO-59) was already tied up to the buoy assigned to the Cal. The Cal took another buoy. When the Cal crew awoke the next morning and was getting ready to go to their assigned duty stations a tremendous explosion occurred.

A Japanese Kaiten (manned torpedo), the only one of five to be successful in their attack hit the Mississinewa. Although the fires were put out within fifteen minutes the Missisinewa slowly turned over and disappeared beneath the sea. 63 brave sailors, as well as the Kaiten pilot, lost their lives in this tragedy. The Kaiten got into the harbor when the gate across the entrance was lowered to let a cruiser out. This is probably the closest the Cal ever came to not being able to finish her distinguished career.

Marshall Island Opertions - Spring 1944 Asiatic-Pacific Raids - Spring 1944. Hollandia Operation - Spring 1944 Marianas Operation - Summer 1944. Tinian Capture and Operation - Summer 1944 Western Caroline Islands Operation Summer/Fall 1944. Leyte Operations - Fall 1944 Luzon Operation - Winter 1944/1945.

Okinawa Gunto Operation - Summer 1945 3rd Fleet Operations Against Japan - Summer 1945. Communist China Spring Offensive UN Summer/Fall Offensive. Korean Defense - Summer/Fall 1952 Korea - Summer/Fall 1953. Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V. Tet/69 Counteroffensive Vietnam - Summer/Fall 1969. Class and type; Cimarron-class oiler. Displacement: 7,236 long tons/8,104 American tons light and 25,440 tons/28,493 American tons loaded. Length: 553 feet Beam: 75 Feet, Draft 32 feet. Propulsion Geared turbines, twin screws. Speed: 18 knots (21 miles per hour). Armament: One 5" 38 caliber gun; Four 3" 50 caliber guns; Four twin 40mm AA guns and Four twin 20mm AA guns - All but the Four 3 50 caliber guns were removed from the CAl in the late 1950's. The USS Caliente carried approximately 4,000,000 gallons of Navy Standard Fuel Oil (NSFO), 1,500,000 gallons of jet fuel (JP-5) and 500,000 gallons of aviation fuel (Avgas). While not a "glamorous", man of war, during the three wars she served in, the USS Caliente was critical to the wars' efforts.

Ground, air and sea service personnel to maintain battle readiness by supplying them with vital fuel and other supplies. During peace she conducted the same operations with the fleet, ensuring our countries' readiness for any occurrence. All the Cal's crews, from 1943 to 1973, served our country with the utmost of dedication and pride.

If the Cal was unrepping an entire carrier group the carrier would be along the port (left) side of the cal and the other other members of the carrier group would come along the starboard (right) side of the Cal. After unrepping a carrier group the Cal was very often empty and liberty was at hand for the crew in the next refueling port - usually Subic Bay, (Olangapo) in the Phillipines or Kaoshung in Tawain. On one of the unreps in 1965 the Cal set a fleet record by pumping record more barrels (42 gallons to the barrel) of oil in an hour than any other oiler.