The U.S.S. VIRGO AKA-20 was built by the Federal Shipbuilding Company, at Kearney, New Jersey, in the winter and spring 1943. It was originally designed for use in the U.S. Maritime Service, but was taken over by the Navy for use as an amphibious cargo attack ship. She is a medium-sized cargo vessel having certain bulkheads and much equipment of a military nature added.

General specifications: Overall Length 459' 2 1/2", Beam 63' 2 1/2", Light Draft (Fore & aft) 12' 11 3/4" Maximum Draft 25' 9 3/4"

The ship is divided into five (5) holds, each hold serviced by two (2) booms, one (1) thirty ton boom and one (1) ten (10) ton boom, with the exception of #1 hold which has two (2) ten (10) ton booms. The total useful cargo capacity after conversion being about 350,000 cu. ft.

The ship has a full speed of 17 knots (95 RPM) and 8 cruising speed of l5.5 knots (87 RPM). Fuel consumption at full speed is 575 gallons per hour and at standard speed, 420 gallons per hour. Her fuel capacity is 436,000 gallons fuel oil, 28,754 gallons diesel fuel and 3,000 gallons lube oil. The fresh water capacity of the ship total's 158,920 gallons with 6,857 gallons for boiler food. Her cruising range at cruising speed of 15.5 knots is 10,367 miles.

The ship is single screwed, steam turbine (double reduction) driven, made by Delaval and is rated at 6000 HP. There are two (2) boilers made by the Combustion Engineering Corp. with working pressure of 450 pounds, 750 degrees superheat.

The electricity for the ship's use is furnished by two (2) General Electric 300 KW, 120-240 V-DC generators And one (1) Ideal Electric 300 KW, l20-240 V-DC generator. For emergency use there is one (1) diesel driven 60 KW, 120-240 V-DC generator, The steering engine is electric hydraulic made by Hydo Windlass. The refrigerating system is composed of five (5), four (4) ton York compressors and are freon type.

The evaporator is of the low pressure double effect type with a 12,000 gallon capacity.

WWII
The VIRGO earned seven (7) battle stars for World War II

On the 15th. of July, 1943, the VIRGO’s sea trials were held. From observations and inspections during the triai1s, the board considered that the ship was well-built; that her machinery was well arranged and installed; that the vessel was acceptable in accordance with terms of the building contract.

The vessel comprises a cargo ship with provisions for carrying one hundred fifty (150) troops, troop stores, troop and tank landing barges and the Navy crew necessary for operation of the vessel in combat areas. On July 16, 1943 the U.S.S. VIRGO (AKA-20), was placed in commission by Commander H. F. Sasse at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York; Commander C. H. McLaughlin, Commanding with a crew of two hundred seven (207) enlisted men and twenty-four (24) officers. From July 16th to July 30th undergoing various alterations as proscribed by the Navy for fitting the vessel for use as an amphibious cargo attack ships.

On the 30th of July 1943, the vessel went to Bayonne Terminal, Bayonne, New Jersey, for degaussing. Later on July 30th, the compasses were calibrated and the ship’s ammunition brought aboard. On the 31st of July, 1943, to the 1st. of August, 1943, the ship was underway from New York to Norfolk, Va. On the 2nd. of August 1943, landing craft were received as follows: Eight (8) 501 tank Lighters (LCM's) and sixteen (16) 361 personnel boats (LCVP's) A crew of one hundred nineteen (119) enlisted men and eleven (11) officers were received to man the boats.

On the 3rd. of August 1943 the U.S.S. VIRGO entered its shakedown and training period in the Chesapeake Bay, which lasted until the 9th. of August . There were extensive training schedules which consisted of launching and handling of boats, fire drills, abandon ship drills and general quarters. On the 9th of August the vessel returned to Norfolk, Va., and moored at the Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., where minor alterations were made.

On August 24th. 1943 the U.S.S. VIRGO departed from Norfolk Va. bound for the west coast via the Panama Canal, traveling in convoy, arriving in Panama August 30, 1943 and passed through the Canal on August 31, 1943. Departed Panama with a number of passengers and a small amount of cargo bound for the United States and arrived in San Diego on the 9th. of September. From the 9th of September until the 15th. the vessel was in an Diego, here It was loaded with Marine Corps. equipment for transportation to Pearl Harbor.

On the 15th, the vessel departed from San Diego enroute to Pearl Harbor The U.S.S. VIRGO arrived in Pearl Harbor on the 21st of September and proceeded to unload the marine equipment. Completed unloading cargo on the 22nd of September. While at Pearl Harbor five (5) officers and sixty-four (64) enlisted men of the boat crew were transferred. Here also, four (4) officers and forty-two (42) enlisted men for the boat crew were received aboard as replacements for those transferred.

September 24, 1943, the U.S.S. VIRGO departed Pearl Harbor enroute to Wellington, New Zealand, arriving there on October 6, 1943. The eleven (11) day trip was made without incident; various drills were conducted enroute. Here the ship remained until November 1st. 1943, coming under the control of Transport Division Four Transport Group Two, Fifth Amphibious Force in preparation for our first invasion The place and time of the coming action being a closely guarded secret.

During the stay, in New Zealand the following organizations of the U.S. Marine Corps were embarked on the 30th of October: Two (2) officers and fifty-two (52) enlisted men of Dot, Co. 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, their tractors (LVT's) being embarked previously, There were fifteen (15) such tractors embarked at that time, which replaced eight (8) of the ship's 36’ LCVP's on the hatches and, the remainder were stowed in #3 hold and by shifting the 50' LCM's, others were nested on deck, Much equipment such as arms, ammunition, food, organizational equipment, gasoline, etc. was loaded while in New Zealand. Total weight of cargo was around 2500 tons. A total of two hundred eleven (211) enlisted men and seven (7) officers were embarked all being part of the 2nd. Marine Div. of the FMF. After loading was completed various drills were conducted in connection with amphibious landings, and the handling of LVT's.

On 1 November 1943, departed New Zealand in convoy, arriving at Efate, Now Hebrides, 7 November 1943, where training exercises were conducted during the day, Upon completion of exercises, the convoy proceeded to Havana Harbor. Again on the 9th. of November, exercises were conducted off Efate Harbor, upon completion of which the ship proceeded to Fila Harbor where more cargo was loaded,

On the 13th. of November, 1943, departed Fila Harbor, New Hebrides, and proceeded to the Gilbert Islands, arriving off Tarawa, the scene of the VIRGO's first action, in the early morning hours of November 20th, 1943.

In the early morning hours of "D" Days the ship was taken under fire by shore batteries and numerous shells landed in the immediate vicinity of this vessel. No hits were sustained and no damage was received, All landing craft and LVT's had been discharged just prior to being taken under fire. During "D" Days the vessel's crew repaired several damaged LVT's Water rations, hand grenades, dynamite, torpedoes and small arms were sent to the beach

On "D" Day plus three, the ship entered the lagoon, being one of the first heavy ships to anchor there. Many casualties were handled and with the limited facilities of this vessel, it was impossible to handle all of them. Our doctor and corpsmen assisted by doctors sent by TransDiv. Comdr. did an excellent job of aiding the wounded about fifty (50) casualties were handled, twelve (12) of which were evacuated to Pearl Harbor. Two (2) burials at sea were held No boats were lost during this operation, although many were damaged, but not beyond the ability of the Ship's force to repair.

Thus was the action at Tarawa completed and the ship, in convoy returned to Pearl Harbor, arriving there December 7th. 1943, where the casualties were immediately removed.

On December 7, 1943, departed from Pearl Harbor for Hilo, arriving there the following day. Here part of the cargo that the vessel had aboard was discharged. December 9. 1943, departed from Hilo for Honolulu Harbor, arriving there on December 10, 1943, where the remainder or of the cargo was discharged. Departed Honolulu Harbor for Kahuli Harbor, Maui Island, T.H. on December 11, 1943, arriving there the following day. Here equipment was taken aboard for use in the coming training period.

Units of the 22nd, Marines were embarked for training. Departed Kahuli Harbor on the 14th. of December, 1943, for Maalaea Bay, Maui Island, T.H. where various exercises were carried out dealing with amphibious landings and the handling of cargo. The Vessel departed this area on the 20th. of December, bound for Pearl Harbor, T.H., arriving there on the 20th. of December. Here necessary repairs were made to the ship's machinery and a general rest for all personnel aboard.

From the 9th to the 11th of January, 1944, the ship was loaded with equipment for the next operation, On the 12th of January, a landing craft control boat (LCC) was taken aboard replacing one (1) 50’ landing craft, (LCM) and one (1) 36’ personnel boat (LCVP). There was a short training period following this and then returned to Pearl Harbor for completion of loading for the coming operation. 95% of the cargo being loaded prior to the training period and the remainder loaded upon return, a total of about 2000 tons, On the 21st. of January 1944, a total of ten (10) officers and two hundred sixteen (216) enlisted man from various organizations of the U.S. Army were embarked.

On January 22, 1944 departed Pearl Harbor in convoy, bound for the Marshall Islands as Part of Task Force 52, and Southern Attack Force, On the 31st. of January, 1944, arrived oft Kwajalein Island, Twenty-three (23) boats from this vessel took part in the assault on the Islands. Equipment belonging to the army was dispatched as soon an it was called for.

On the afternoon of "D" Days the vessel in company with others of its type, entered the Lagoon and anchored off Carlson Island. Late in the evening of February 1944, two enemy batteries commenced shelling the anchorage area; no shells came very close. On February 2nd. an LCT holed this vessel between upper and lower tween decks, #5 hold, the hole being about 2 inches long. Damage was not serious and was repaired by ship’s force. No boats were lost during this operation, but some were damaged including the LCC. No casualties were sustained and none received from shore. February 4th. departed Kwajalein for Funafuti, in the Ellice Islands, arriving there on the 8th of February. Here the ship remained until the 19th. of February. While in Funafuti, during a recreation trip to the beach, the first man was lost since the ship had been commissioned he was drowned while swimming.

On February 19th. departed from Funafuti Atoll, Ellice Islands, for Port Purvis, Florida Island, Solomon Islands Here the VIRGO remained until March 3rd. giving the personnel of the vessel a chance to relax and exercise on the beach. On the 3rd. of March, departed from Port Purvis and proceeded to Lunga Roads Guadalcanal Solomon Islands.

March 4th. commenced loading 40th. Division (USA) equipment aboard which included vehicles different types of guns, ammunition, gasoline, diesel oil, sandbags and rations. Six (6) officers and one hundred six (106) enlisted men of the 40th. Division (USA) were embarked on the 5th. of Marsh 1944. Departed Lunga Roads, Guadalcanal and proceeded to Bokokimbo Rivers Guadalcanal, in company with other ships for a period of training.

From the 5th. to the 8th. of March 1944, remained in this area for training. On the 8th. the ship returned to Lunga Roads, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Here the vessel remained until the 14th. of March, when, in convoy, departed for New Caledonia, but never arrived being recalled to Guadalcanal after approximately half of the distance was covered. Arrived back at Lunga Roads, Guadalcanal, Salomon Inlands on the 17th of March. All cargo then aboard was discharged. Disembarked all 40th Division (USA) personnel. The vessel remained in the area of Guadalcanal and Florida Islands until March 26th. During this period a cargo of ammunition was loaded totaling between 500 and 700 tons. Five (5) officers and one hundred twelve (112) enlisted men of the 23th Infantry Cannon Co. (USA) were embarked. On the 27th of March 1944, departed Guadalcanal area for Empress Augusta Bay, Bouganville Island, Solomon Islands arriving there on the 28th. and discharged cargo and personnel. The same day, departed Empress Augusta Bay for Milne Bay, New Guinea, arriving there the 31st of March, 1944. The VIRGO remained here until the 4th. of April. Departed Milne Bay for Buna, New Guinea, arriving at Buna on the 5th. The vessel remained at Buna until the 14th, during which time tactical data runs were made. The 14th of April 1944, saw the departure of the VIRGO from Buna bound for Goodenough Island, New Guinea, arriving there the following day,

On the 25th Of April commenced loading army equipment belonging to the 24th Division, U.S.A., for the coming operation at Hollandia, Western New Guinea, and completed loading on the 16th. Total cargo of about 1150 tons. On the 17th. embarked eight (8) officers and two hundred twelve (212) enlisted men of the 24th Div. and one (1) officer and thirty-four (34) enlisted man of the 39th Engineers (USA). On the l7th, loading operations were completed and the following day we were underway proceeding to Tanamerah Bay, New Guinea, in company with LST's. Our course took us northwest around the newly taken Admiralty Island and then southwest to our destination. Arrived at Tanamerah Bay 0700 April 23rd. By 0800, discharging of cargo was underway and continued until 2000 the same evening at which time discharging was secured. Enemy planes were in the area several times during the night; however, none were seen but one was clearly heard shortly after dark.

Early April 24th. discharging of cargo was resumed and completed by 1500 the same day. 1600 departed Tanamerah Bay. On April 27th.we arrived at Cape Sudest New Guinea. The only eventful happening on the return trip occurred on the evening of the 24th - two groups of about eight (8) or ten (10) enemy planes were reported closing in on the formation at 2000. In the time between 2000 and 2100, about thirteen (13) bright white flares were dropped in a search for the formation. A complete blackout was maintained, all ships holding fire until the planes finally disappeared with no attack developing. Fifteen (15) casualties were evacuated from this area.

April 29th. found us proceeding to New Guinea, where we tied up to a wharf on the morning of the 29th. Loading operations commenced April 30th and were completed on May 1st. The same day, we were underway again proceeding to Atiapo New Guinea.

On May 3rd, arrived at ,Atiapo and proceeded to unload, and completed, discharging the same evening. Departed Atiapo May 3rd. 1944 for Buna New Guinea, arriving there May 5th. 1944. May 7th. 1944, departed Buna New Guinea Guadalcanal arriving Lunga Roads, Guadalcanal Solomon Islands, on the 10th of May 1944.

On the 10th of May, 1944 commenced loading cargo for training exercises with the lst. Provisional Marine Brigade, training exercises being continued through May 31st. in the Guadalcanal area. Final loading was commenced on June 1st.1944, and completed June 3rd. Total cargo was about 2000 tons consisting of explosives, vehicles, guns and gasoline. The following personnel ware embarked; Seven (7) officers, fifty-two (52) enlisted man of Battery H&S, First 155MM Artillery Battalion, Third Corps Artillery, Third Amphibious Corps; one (1) officer and thirty-three (33) man of Battery "A" Seventh 155MM Artillery Battalion, Third Corps Artillery, Third Amphibious Corps, and ten (10) officers and ninety (90) men of the 53rd. Naval Construction Battalion.

June.4th.1944, departed Guadalcanal for Kwajalein, Marshall Island arrived there June 8th. 1944. June 12, 1944, departed Kwajalein for Guam. On June 15th, arrived designated area some distance off Saipan. and remained in this vicinity during the capture of the island. June 27th, ordered to return to Eniwetok arriving there June 30, 1944. remained in Eniwetok Lagoon until July l7th. 1944, then departing Eniwetok for the Guam invasion and arrived at Agat Bay Guam July 21, 1944. All boats were launched including the LCC and participated in landing operations. July 26 1944, all cargo discharged. No boats were lost to enemy action, but one was lost due to striking reef while attempting to discharge its cargo. The ship was holed twice during this operation by LCT's coming alongside, damage was minor and easily repaired by ship's force. On July 27th. 1944 departed Guam for Eniwetok and arrived there July 31, 1944. While at Guam, more than fifty (50) casualties were handled by our medical department.

July 31, 1944 departed Eniwetok for Espiritu Santos, New Hebridos Islands, arriving there on August 6, 1944. While here necessary repairs were made. Recreation facilities of the base were used by the crew. On the 10th. of August 1944, the command changed; Lt. Comdr. H. E. RANDALL relieved Comdr. C. H. McLAUGHLIN as Commanding Officer. On the 14th of August, departed Espiritu Santos for Guadalcanal Island Solomon Islands, arriving there on the 16th of August,1944. August 19, 1944, departed Guadalcanal Solomon, Islands, for the Russell Islands; arriving there the same day, Commenced loading cargo on the 20th of August, 1944. Our cargo was loaded at different points in the Russell Islands. Departed Russell Islands on 22 August for Guadalcanal, arriving there the same day. Here more cargo was loaded. On the 24th of August, returned to the Russell Islands. During the loading, a total of about 2500 tons of cargo was loaded, cargo consisted of ammunition, guns, vehicles, tractors, trailers, gasoline, oil and Water, On the 27th of August preliminary rehearsal was held, and on the 29th official rehearsal held off Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal, for the coming invasion of Peleliu.

The following personnel were embarked: Four (4) officers and sixty-nine (69) enlisted men of Company "C" 1st. Tank Battalion. 1st.Marine Division FMF; two (2) officers of 8th 155MM Gun Battalion, 3rd Artillery, 3rd Amphibious Corps; one (1) man of Headquarters Platoon Company "A". 1st. Engineer Battalion, 1st. Marine Division; two (2) officers and fifty (50) enlisted man of Battery "C", 3rd 155MM Howitzer Battalion, 3rd Corps Artillery, 3rd Amphibious Corps; two (2) officers and twenty-eight (28) men, USMC and one (1) man USN, of Headquarters 8th 155MM Gun Battalion, 3rd Corps Artillery, 3rd Amphibious Corps; two (2) enlisted men of 1st. Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division# FMF; two (2) officers and thirty-seven (37) men of USN Boat Pool.

September 8, 1944, departed Guadalcanal for Palau Islands, arriving off Pololiu Island, Palau Islands on the early morning of the 15th. Here all landing craft launched and participated in landing operations. Completed discharging all cargo on the 22nd. September, but remained in area as small boat repair ship. No boats lost during this operation due to enemy action. One man was lost due to enemy action and one man due to a sling breaking on LCVP while being hoisted. Forty (40) casualties were handled, most of them later being transferred to a hospital ship, While in this area six (6) burials at sea were held.

The 30th of September, loaded about 250 tons of cargo, and embarked fourteen (14) Marine officers, one hundred seventy-four (174) enlisted Marines and six (6) enlisted man, U.S. Navy. On the 4th of October, departed Palau Islands for Russell Islands, arriving there on the 10th. where troops and cargo were discharged. On the 12th. this vessel went to Tulagi,

On October 13, 1944, the following personnel were embarked: Two (2) officers and sixteen (16) enlisted, medical patients of the U.S. Army; four (4) officers and sixty-eight (68) men of the U.S.M.C also thirty (30) prisoners, all enlisted personnel of the U.S. Navy. Departed Florida Island, Solomon Islands , destination San Francisco. Arrived in San Francisco, California, October 29, 1944.

While in San Francisco, a general overhaul was made of the entire ship: Improved ventilation system, engine and boiler repairs additional bunks installed in Officers Country, troop quarters installed in upper tween deck #1 hold, two double drum winches were installed at each hatch, a total of ten (10). The 5" 38 gun was removed and replaced by a new one. Mark 51 directors and a 17MC Battle Speaking System were installed. A new PA System was installed throughout the ship. A general overhaul of the entire ship was made, including dry-docking which took place at Hunter's Point. Work was accomplished by the Matson Navigation Company at pier 36, San Francisco with the exception of the dry-docking.

The above work was accomplished beginning November 6, 1944 to December 16, 1944. While in the States, a short leave was enjoyed by the crew.

The vessel moored in the Naval supply Depot on the 17th of December, 1944, and loading was commenced, The cargo consisted of general ship-stores dry provisions, and a small amount of fresh provisions. About 4300 tons of cargo was loaded. Completed loading shortly after January 1, 1945 and departed for Pearl Harbor January 4, 1945o, arriving there on the 10th. In Pearl Harbor, seven (7) boat officers, eighty-four (84) enlisted men were transferred, seven (7) LCM’s and eleven (11) LCVP’s were taken off. The LCG also was removed with its crew and two (2) officers. While in Pearl Harbor, a series of exercises were conducted as practice for our next operation which consisted of supplying ships at sea while underway. Exercises in this respect were successfully conducted near Pearl Harbor.

On 28 January 1945 departed Pearl Harbor for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, arriving there on 5 February 1945. Departed Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, on 9 February 1945 in convoy, for Ulithi Islands, arriving There on the 13th. Departed Ulithi 15 February 1945 for Kossol Passage Palau Islands, and arrived there on the 16th. On the 17th, departed Kossol Passage to join service force operating in the area near Iwo Jima during the capture of that Island, joining Task Group 50.8 on the 20th of February. Here provisioning at sea was carried out, destroyers-and destroyer escorts supplied for the most Part. On the 3rd of March, 1945, arrived back at Ulithie. Here all cargo aboard was transferred to the U.S.S. MERCURY which had boon designated as our relief Many small craft were provisioned during the time cargo was being transferred to the U.S.S. MERCURY.

Departed Ulithi Island on the 16th March for Kossol Roads, Palau Islands arriving there on the 17th. Departed Kossol Roads March 25th for Leyte, Philippine Islands arriving there on the 28th of March. On the 7th of April, 1941 commenced loading cargo for coming assignment, and completed loading on the 14th having taken aboard about 2000 tons of cargo consisting of all types of equipment from: barb-wire to bulldozers.

April 18, 1945, departed from Leyte, Philippine Islands in convoy bound for the Ulithi Islands arriving there the 21st. Departed Ulithi Islands for Okinawa, arriving at Okinawa on May lst, 1945. Commenced discharging cargo on the 2nd and completed discharging all cargo on the 10th. On the 12th, started loading cargo consisting of Japanese ordnance equipment of all types, also some aircraft engines. On the 15th, completed loading all cargo.

While in the Okinawa areas we were subject to many air raids which developed mostly at night. As far as the vessel was concerned, no damage was sustained but unloading was interrupted many times in this way. A total of thirty-two (32) red alerts were sounded during our stay, some of only a few minutes duration, other lasting for six to twelve hours. Fog generators and smoke pots were used freely while under attack. Many ships received suicide attacks, several in our immediate vicinity, Upon departing this area, fifteen (15) casualties under medical care were aboard.

On the15th of May departed from Okinawa in convoy for Ulithi and arrived there on the 21st. Departed Ulithi on the 22nd bound for Pearl Harbor T.H. arriving there June 1, 1945. Here some of our cargo was discharged and the entire ship was loaded with empty ammunition cases for the United States, from the 5th to the 14th of June. On the 14th, departed Pearl Harbor for San Francisco, California, and arrived there on the 20th. Here, remaining Japanese ordinance equipment was discharged; the empty ammunition cases were discharged from the 24th of June until July 2nd. Availability was granted for necessary repairs, these being accomplished at Moore’s Shipyard, Oakland California, from July 5th to the 20th, at which time were shifted to Naval Supply Depot, Oakland California, to be loaded with cargo. On the 24th. commenced loading cargo and was completed on the 3rd of August. The total cargo loaded was 3200 tons consisting of general supplies, dry provisions and a small amount of fresh cargo for fleet issue.

Departed San Francisco, 3 August 1945, for Ulithi Islands arriving there on the 19th of August. During our trip from the United States to Ulithi, peace was declared. On August 20th, departed Ulithi in convoy for servicing area located some 300 miles or less off the East Coast of Japan, arriving this area on the 25th of August. From then until 8th of September, provisioned all types of ships, mostly carriers, battleships, and cruisers, while underway. Approximately 250 to 360 tons of cargo was discharged per day under just fair conditions. On the 8th, departed servicing area for Japan, arriving there on the 9th. The first night was spent in Sagami Bay, Japan. On the 10th, VIRGO moved into Tokyo Bay. Assigned as station supply ship. Our job consisted of supplying all necessary provisions and clothing to small craft with some work being done for large vessels. Necessary cargo for our work was supplied by incoming vessels and transferred to us, mostly by LCT. This work continued through the months of September, October and into November 1945.

At the conclusion of WWII, VIRGO began a series of voyages from the Naval Supply Depot at Oakland California to Pacific bases. The ship repeatedly carried provisions and stores issued to ships of the fleet and advanced based garrisons in the Marianas, Admiralties, Okinawa, ports of China and Japan.

KOREA
The VIRGO earned nine (9) battle stars for the Korean Conflict

The Korean War section of the U.S.S. VIRGO AKA 20 was submitted by Roland Tonnell, ships company 1952-53 tonnell@athenet.net

While VIRGO visited the east coast, conflict broke out in the Far East once again. On 25 June, troops of communist North Korea invaded the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the south. The United States, and later the United Nations, responded with support for South Korea against the aggressors. Thus, VIRGO soon found herself supporting combat forces once more. 

On 19 August, she departed Port Chicago, Calif., with Navy passengers embarked and with a load of ammunition, bound ultimately for Korea. She stopped at Sasebo, Japan, from 6 to 15 September and then headed for Inchon, Korea. She arrived at Inchon on the 16th, the day following the amphibious landing carried out there. She remained in the Korean war zone, first at Inchon and later at Jinsen Ko, for about three weeks. During that time, the attack cargo ship provisioned minesweepers, a Canadian destroyer, an American destroyer and supplied ammunition to the troops ashore. 

She departed Korea on 7 October and returned to Japan where she visited Sasebo and Yokosuka before heading back to the United States on 1 November. After a stop at Pearl Harbor, the ship arrived in San Francisco on 19 November and began repairs at the Pacific Repair Co. VIRGO served as a replenishment ship to almost all types of ships and carried everything from passengers to airplane parts.

On 19 January 1951, VIRGO departed San Francisco for her second tour of duty in the Korean combat zone. She arrived in Sasebo on 6 February to disembark passengers and unload ammunition. From Sasebo, the ship moved to Yokosuka at mid-month ; and, from there, she headed for Korea. The attack cargo ship entered port at Pusan on 15 March but soon returned to sea to transfer ammunition to Valley Forge (CV-45) and to Juneau (CL-119). Following that, she returned to Sasebo for several days on the 19th. At the end of the month, she resumed ammunition resupply duty along the Korean coast, visiting Songj in, Wonsan, Suyong, and Pohang as well as replenishing ships at sea between port calls. She returned to Sasebo on 7 May and remained there until the 29th when she got underway to return to the United States. 

On 13 June, the attack cargo ship entered port at Long Beach Calif., and began overhaul at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. She completed repairs in August and, after refresher training out of San Diego, loaded passengers and ammunition at Port Chicago in late September. On 5 October. she put to sea to return to the Far East. The ship arrived in Sasebo on 22 October, disembarked her passengers, and unloaded some ammunition before getting underway for the war zone once more. During that tour of duty, her mission consisted entirely of replenishments at sea in support of United Nations naval forces operating off the Korean coast. That assignment lasted until 12 August 1952 at which time she departed Yokosuka for home. She stopped at Pearl Harbor along the way and arrived in San Francisco on the 25th. VIRGO then began an availability at the Triple "A" Machine Shop in San Francisco.

VIRGO completed repairs in October and departed San Francisco on 1 November to resume duty in the Orient. She arrived in Sasebo on 19 November and remained there almost two months. On 3 January 1953, the ship stood out of Sasebo, bound for Korean waters. For the next five months, she resumed the familiar schedule of replenishments at sea punctuated by ammunition deliveries at Korean ports and return trips to Sasebo for the purpose of restocking her own supplies. 

She completed her last mission early in June and, on the 13th, headed back to the United States. She reentered San Francisco on 28 June and entered the Mare Island Naval Shipyard for a three-month overhaul. While she underwent repairs, hostilities in Korea effectively ceased with the signing of an armistice on 19 July 1953. Thus, when she emerged from the shipyard late in September and prepared to resume voyages to the Far East, her missions lost their combat character.

At the end of the Korean conflict, VIRGO resumed her fleet replenishment duties until April 3rd. 1958, when she was decommissioned. On July 1, 1961 her name was struck from the Navy list and was transferred to the Maritime Administration Reserve Fleet in Astoria Oregon.

Vietnam
The VIRGO earned ten (10) battle stars for service in the Vietnam Conflict.

In September 1965, the Navy took custody of her once again, and her name was reinstated on the Navy list. On 1 November 1965, she was reclassified as an ammunition ship and redesignated AE-30. After almost a year of reactivation and rehabilitation work on the ship, VIRGO (AE-30) was recommissioned at Seattle, Wash., on 19 August 1966, Capt. Harold R. MacMillan in command. She spent the remainder of 1966 engaged in shakedown training and independent ship's exercises along the west coast. 

In January of 1967, she loaded ammunition at Concord, Calif., in preparation for her first deployment to the Western Pacific ( WESPAC ) in support of the American effort in the Vietnamese civil war. She departed Concord on 12 January and after a brief in Hawaii, VIRGO arrived in Subic Bay on 6 February. There, she unloaded a part of her cargo before departing the Philippines on the 12th for replenishment missions in the Gulf of Tonkin. 

29 May 1967 a change of command took place with Captain W. Carrier Jr. replacing Captain MacMillan. 

During the six months in the WESPAC, she made eight line swings from Subic Bay to the gulf bringing in new stocks of ammunition to refill the depleted magazines of American warships along the Vietnamese coast. She punctuated those assignments with liberty calls at Subic Bay and at Hong Kong. VIRGO finished her last such mission 15 August 1967 and returned to Subic Bay. From there, she moved to Sasebo, Japan, for a four-day liberty call before getting underway for the United States in early September. On 21 September, she moored at the naval weapons station at Concord, Calif. She spent the remainder of the year engaged in normal operations out of her base at Concord.

During the first six weeks of 1968, VIRGO loaded ammunition in preparation for and participation in the 1st Fleet exercise, Operation "Bead Stringer." In mid-February, she loaded ammunition for her second deployment to the western Pacific during the Vietnam conflict. On 26 February, she began her voyage west. The ship changed operational control to the 7th Fleet on 7 March and arrived in Subic Bay 12 days later. Once again, her assignment fell into a pattern of replenishment voyages to the ships operating in the Gulf of Tonkin. In six months' time, she made eight line swings from Subic Bay to the gulf bringing in new stocks of ammunition to refill the depleted magazines of American warships along the Vietnamese coast. She finished her last such mission early in October and returned to Subic Bay on the 10th. From there, she moved to Sasebo, Japan, for a four-day liberty call before getting underway for the United States on 23 October. The ammunition ship arrived back in Concord on 11 November, offloaded ammunition, and entered the Mare Island Naval Shipyard to begin post-deployment stand down. On 19 December, she moved to the Triple "A" shipyard to begin a six-week restricted availability.

Her repair period continued until the end of January 1969. On the 31st, she loaded ammunition at Concord in preparation for operations at sea with units of the 1st Fleet. Those missions—primarily to train new crew members—lasted until the beginning of April. After final loadout at Concord, she got underway for the Far East on 19 April. She arrived in Subic Bay on 14 May and, after two weeks of voyage repairs, began the familiar series of voyages between Subic Bay and Vietnamese waters to resupply 7th Fleet ships with ammunition. However, the increasing use of the fast combat support ship (AOE), which combined the features of both ammunition ship and oiler, relegated her to a reduced role.

During most of her eight line swings, VIRGO either served as a backup for the AOE's or concentrated on replenishing the cruisers and destroyers operating close to the coast. The ammunition ship completed her eighth and final line period on 12 November and returned to Subic Bay on the 14th. On the 19th, VIRGO got underwav for Sasebo where she remained from the 23d to the 26th. On the latter day, she departed Sasebo and shaped a course for home. The ship arrived back in Concord on 13 December and began post-deployment leave and upkeep.

Stand down continued into January 1970. On 21 January, she began a restricted availability at the Bethlehem Steel shipyard located in San Francisco. Repairs complete on 16 February, VIRGO moved back to Concord to load ammunition in preparation for operations at sea along the west coast. Refresher and type training occupied her time until 7 May at which time she departed San Francisco for the last western Pacific development of her Navy career. VIRGO arrived in Subic Bay on 29 May and embarked upon the first of six line periods supplying ammunition to the warships off Vietnam. She completed her final line swing early in November and, after a stop at Sasebo, she got underway for home on 27 November. She arrived back at Concord on 12 December and began preparations for decommissioning. VIRGO (AE-30) was decommissioned at Vallejo, Calif., on 18 February 1971, and her name was struck from the Navy list simultaneously. Subsequently transferred to the Maritime Administration for disposal, she was sold on 19 November 1973 to Taipei Hsieh, of Taiwan, for scrapping.