of "Operation Ivy", during which the first hydrogen bomb was detonated. Returning to San Diego, on 4 December, she cruised the west coast, and visited Acapulco, Mexico, in 1953. From 10 January to 28 May 1954, she participated in "Operation Castle". Fitted with a helicopter deck in November–December 1954, Curtiss engaged in a large-scale amphibious exercise on the coast of California in March 1955. From 21 March to 8 August 1956, she took part in "Operation Redwing", the atomic tests at Eniwetok, during which she was visited by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. As flagship for the First Fleet, she was visited by Vice Admiral A. H. Vedel, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Danish Navy on 20 September 1956. Curtiss departed San Diego, on 27 December 1956, for "Operation Deep Freeze II", carrying sailors of the wintering-over party, and scientists to take part in the International Geophysical Year program. Calling at Port Lyttelton, New Zealand, from 12 to 15 January 1957, she entered McMurdo Sound, on 19 January, and transferred cargo by helicopter to the icebreaker . From 21 to 28 January, she put men and cargo ashore in the same manner as she lay moored to the ice shelf, continuing these operations at Little America, from 30 January to 6 February. She carried out ice reconnaissance to Okuma Bay and Sulzberger Bay, then departed McMurdo Sound, on 10 February. She called at Port Lyttelton, Auckland, New Zealand, and Sydney, Australia, before returning to San Diego, on 25 March, to undergo repairs for ice damage. She continued her local operations until placed out of commission in reserve on 24 September 1957. Curtiss was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 July 1963, and was sold for scrapping in February 1972. Awards American Defense Service Medal with "FLEET" clasp Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with seven battle stars World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Medal with "ASIA" clasp China Service Medal National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal United Nations Korea Medal Antarctic Service Medal References Bibliography External links USS Curtiss Veterans Association Curtiss-class seaplane tenders World War II seaplane tenders of the United States Seaplane tenders of the United States Navy Ships present during the attack on Pearl Harbor 1940 ships Ships built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation