USS Guardian (YAGR-1)

USS Guardian (AGR-1), moored pierside, Boston, July 1960.

USS Guardian (AGR/YAGR-1) was a , converted from a Liberty Ship, acquired by the US Navy in 1954. Her task was to act as part of the radar defenses of the United States in the Cold War, serving until 1965.

Construction

Guardian (YAGR-1) was laid down on 20 March 1945, under a United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 3137, as the Liberty Ship James G. Squires, by J.A. Jones Construction, Panama City, Florida. She was launched 8 May 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Elisa Broome; and delivered 31 May, to Waterman Steamship Corporation.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Service history

She served until 5 October 1945, when she was placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Virginia.Template:Sfn

Acquired by the US Navy, she was taken out of reserve in 1954, she was converted to a radar picket ship at the Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, South Carolina, and commissioned Guardian (YAGR-1), at Norfolk, Virginia, 1 February 1955.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

The first ocean radar station ship put into service by the Navy, Guardian conducted shakedown in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and surrounding waters, reporting to Newport, Rhode Island, her home port, 2 June 1955.Template:Sfn In 1958 the Atlantic Ocean radar picket force relocated to Davisville, Rhode Island.

Equipped with highly sensitive radar gear to enable her to detect, track, and report any aircraft penetrating the continental United States, Guardian was attached to the Eastern Continental Air Defense Command. She and her sister ships spent 3 or 4 weeks at a time off the US East Coast and West Coast on radar picket duty, even in the heaviest winter weather in the North Atlantic Ocean.Template:Sfn

In addition to radar picket duty, Guardian participated in ASW exercises with both American and Canadian naval units and in local operations out of Newport and Key West, Florida. Her designation was changed to AGR-1 on 28 September 1958.Template:Sfn

Decommissioning

Guardian was decommissioned 28 July 1965. She was returned to the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. She was sold for scrapping, 23 November 1970, and withdrawn from fleet, 21 December 1970. She was scrapped in Bilbao, Spain, September 1971.Template:Sfn

Military awards and honors

GuardianTemplate:'s crew was eligible for the following medals:

• Navy Expeditionary Medal (2 awards)
• National Defense Service Medal

Bibliography

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