USS Wabash AOR-5 Replenishment Oiler Patch

USS Wabash AOR-5 Replenishment Oiler Patch (U.S. Navy) 4.0" x 5.0" Embroidered Patch with Iron-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.

Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.

Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.

Versatile Use: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality. 

Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
USS Wabash (AOR-5) was a Wichita-class replenishment oiler commissioned into the United States Navy on May 9, 1970. Constructed by the General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division in Massachusetts, she was designed to fulfill the crucial role of underway replenishment, delivering fuel, ammunition, and supplies to naval vessels operating far from home ports. Named after the Wabash River, the ship symbolized the Navy’s strategic focus on sustained global operations during the Cold War. As part of the Wichita-class, Wabash was built to extend the fleet’s reach and endurance by enabling longer deployments without the need for frequent port visits.

Notable Commanders
Throughout her service, USS Wabash was led by several capable and dedicated commanding officers. While individual names are not widely publicized, these leaders were instrumental in ensuring the ship met its demanding operational objectives. Their leadership maintained high standards of readiness and crew morale during complex logistics missions and deployments worldwide.

Major Campaigns/Operations
USS Wabash played a vital role during the Vietnam War, providing underway replenishment to carrier task forces and other combat ships operating off the coast of Southeast Asia. Her presence ensured combat vessels remained supplied and mission-capable during extended operations. Beyond Vietnam, Wabash operated extensively in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean regions throughout the Cold War, supporting naval exercises, NATO deployments, and rapid response missions during crises. Her logistical support was critical in maintaining the Navy’s forward presence and ability to project power globally through the 1970s and 1980s.

Specialized Role/Equipment
Designed as a replenishment oiler, USS Wabash was equipped to transfer fuel, ammunition, and essential supplies to other ships while underway—a complex and demanding operation requiring precision and coordination. She was armed with defensive systems including Sea Sparrow missile launchers and Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) to protect against air and missile threats. Wabash also featured two helicopter landing pads and hangars for CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, which were used for vertical replenishment, speeding cargo transfers between vessels. This combination of capabilities made her indispensable in sustaining naval task forces on extended missions.

Acts of Heroism
Though her primary mission was logistical, the crew of USS Wabash often operated under challenging conditions, including potential enemy threat zones and rough seas. Conducting underway replenishment safely required exceptional skill and composure. The professionalism and dedication displayed by Wabash’s crew during these tense and complex operations were a vital, if often unheralded, form of heroism that directly supported frontline combat operations.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
USS Wabash faithfully served the U.S. Navy for over 24 years before her decommissioning on July 27, 1994. Her contribution to naval operations underscored the critical importance of logistics in modern naval warfare, enabling combat ships to maintain station and readiness far from home. The legacy of USS Wabash continues in the modern replenishment ships that carry forward the mission she helped define. The sailors who served aboard her upheld a proud tradition of dedication, professionalism, and excellence that remains a cornerstone of naval logistics support.