USS Chickasaw (AT-83/ATF-83) was a constructed for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Pacific Ocean in World War II and the Korean War, and was awarded six battle stars for World War II and two battle stars during the Korean War. She was the third U.S. Navy vessel to be named Chickasaw, and was launched 23 July 1942 by United Engineering Co., Ltd., Alameda, California; sponsored by Mrs. R. Fairbanks; commissioned 4 February 1943 and reported to the Pacific Fleet. World War II Pacific Theatre operations Chickasaw departed Seattle, Washington, 11 March 1943, for Pearl Harbor towing yard floating drydock YFD-21, and arrived on 30 March. Sailing on to Espiritu Santo, Chickasaw served as station tug until 27 June, when she stood out for Pearl Harbor. Arriving 6 July, she had salvage duty, towed targets, laid buoys, and made tows to Midway Island until 21 January 1944, when she sailed for the Marshalls. Supporting island invasions Chickasaw supported the occupation of Kwajalein, Majuro, and Eniwetok until 19 March, when she cleared Kwajalein for Pearl Harbor, arriving 27 March. She sailed from Pearl Harbor on 11 May, was reclassified ATF-83 on 15 May, and arrived at Majuro on 24 May for training duty. Clearing the Marshalls on 11 June, Chickasaw arrived off Saipan on 16 June for tug duties, patrol, and salvage in support of the occupation of that island until 24 July. Similar duty found Chickasaw off Tinian from 24 July 1944. After continued salvage duty in the Marianas Chickasaw cleared Saipan on 18 September for Guam, Eniwetok, and Manus, arriving 4 October. Supporting the invasion of the Philippines Six days later she sailed for the assault on Leyte, arriving in Leyte Gulf on 20 October. Here she conducted salvage and rescue operations through the landings, the fury of the Battle for Leyte Gulf, and the occupation, until 22 November when she sailed for replenishment and salvage duty at Manus. On 27 December she got underway for Lingayen Gulf, arriving 9 January 1945 for salvage operations during the assault. She remained at Lingayen, Subic Bay, and San Pedro Bay on similar duty until 4 March, when she cleared for overhaul and tug duties at Ulithi. From 9–22 June she next operated off Okinawa, then sailed for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived 24 July for yard overhaul. Post-war activity Variously based at San Diego, California,